John Samuel Watkins figure drawings and bookplate depicting women

PXD 1597

fonds

approximately 1910-1939

Graphic Materials, Drawings

9665407

3 drawings (1 box) - pencil, ink, watercolour

John Samuel Watkins was an English born artist who settled in Sydney by 1893. Watkins was proficient across media including oil, pencil, watercolour, etching and pastel. He was a regular contributor to the Royal Art Society of NSW annual exhibitions up to the late 1930s. Most of his exhibits were oil portraits and figure studies. During the First World War he also designed several conscription posters.

Watkins established the J.S. Watkins Art School in Sydney in 1896. It was initially located above Julian Ashton’s art school at 88 King Street. Watkins’ class included lessons in drawing and painting as well as a life and outdoor class. By the time Watkins retired in the late 1930s, the school have moved five times.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

The vendor purchased these works at auction in 2016. At the time the vendor was advised that this set of works had come from a prominent gallerist, whom the vendor presumes had at one time purchased a collection of Watkins’ former studio effects, perhaps from a descendant.

1. Ex Libris, design for a bookplate, c.1910, ink & pencil, 38 x 30 cm. Signed 'J.S. Watkins' in pencil.

2. [Pupils drawing the Nude at J.S. Watkins’ Art School], ink, 36 x 26 cm. Unsigned. ‘25—’ written in ink lower right corner

3. [Woman reading], ink on cardboard, 37 x 32 cm. Some rough ink sketches to verso in black watercolour & ink.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales