Self-portrait with model 1917 / Martin Stainforth

ML 1595

fonds

February 1917

Graphic Materials, Drawings

9666077

1 drawing - gouache on paper, mounted and framed - visible image 18 x 30 cm, frame 32 x 36 cm

British-born artist Martin Stainforth (1866-1957) came to Australia in around 1908, eventually settling in Sydney where he leased a studio in the Norwich Chambers building, on Hunter Street. He established a reputation internationally as a leading painter of thoroughbred racehorses and in Australia he secured commissions from key members of the racing establishment. He was a commercial illustrator as well, with his work appearing in publications such as The Lone Hand. In around 1928 Stainforth left Australia for New Zealand, then England and the United States. He died in Sussex, England in 1957.

References:
'Local Art. National Gallery. Artists' grievance'. Sydney Morning Herald, 12 July 1923, p.8.
Rutledge, Martha. 'Stainforth, Martin Frank (1866–1957)'. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Accessed 6 December 2022. https://adb.anu.edu.au

Previously sold by Davidson Auctions in 2013, listed as being from the Estate of Nicholas Packham

Self-portrait of Martin Stainforth in his Sydney studio in Norwich Chambers, Hunter Street. He depicts himself painting a model who is reclining on his sofa; her partially completed portrait is propped on the easel beside him.

In copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder

The work comprises a gouache illustration heavily applied over a dark-brown printed base layer. An irregularly-shaped window mount is covered with an orange corduroy fabric; all in an original wood frame painted red, with gold toned slip.

Gouache signature lower left, 'Martin Stainforth, 2.17'

Pencil inscriptions on reverse of mount, 'Studio portrait Martin Stainforth … Opening as large as possible … Must not be dusted MS … Self Portrait with model 1917'