Born in 1879, Norman Lindsay is regard as one of Australia's greatest and most controversial artist. With diverse talents ranging from writing and sculpting, to editorial cartooning, Norman Lindsay's work can be found in eminent collections here in Australia and overseas. Whilst particularly famous for his nudes and political cartoons, Norman was author of the immensely successful and much-loved children's book, The Magic Pudding which, since first being published in 1918, has never been out of print.
Norman Lindsay died in 1969, however his popularity and admiration of his work and his life continue strong to this day.
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| 10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| We have listed ten frequently asked questions at the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum and it is with thanks that we use their answers to these questions below. |
How old was Norman was he died?
He died at 90 years of age on 21 November 1969. |
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Where did Norman die and where is he buried?
He died in Springwood Hospital and is buried in Springwood Cemetery. |
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Hold old is the house at Springwood?
It was built for Francis Foy of the Mark Foy family in 1895 by Paddy Ryan who was a local stonemason. Originally called Marryville by Francis Foy, Norman renamed the home Olympia. |
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Did he live at Springwood all his life?
No. He was born in Creswick, Victoria on 22 February 1879. He moved to Melbourne for his first job and later moved to Sydney to live and work on the Bulletin. He also had a studio at 12 Bridge Street, Sydney where he used to stay but Springwood was still his home. He lived at Springwood from 1912 until his death in 1969. |
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Who looks after the property now?
It is owned and run by the National Trust. When Norman died, he left over forty works as well as furniture, ship models and books to the Trust on condition that they purchase the property to display them. The Trust launched a public appeal and the Gallery was opened on 25 February 1973. |
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How many of Norman's family were artists?
Five. Percy, Lionel, Norman, Daryl and their sister Ruby. |
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Did Norman have any children?
Yes, Three sons from his first marriage to Catherine (Katie) Parkinson in 1899 — Jack 1900, Raymond 1903 and Philip 1906. He married Rose Soady in 1920 and had two daughters — Jane 1920 and Helen (Honey) 1922. |
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Are any of Norman's models still alive?
Yes, Pearl is 92 years young and living a very busy life travelling, giving talks and opening exhibitions of Norman's work. |
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Who are Norman's most famous models?
Rose, Norman's second wife is seen in many paintings and etchings — most notably the watercolours The Curtain and Where War Ends and the oil painting Court to Peacocks.
Rita Lee is immortalised in many of Norman's oil paintings such as Rita of the Nineties, Two Models and Crete as well as the beautiful watercolour portrait, Rita of the Eighties.
Pearl Schweig was another of Norman's well-known models seen in many drawings and oil paintings such as Imperia, Amazons, Crete and Ladies from Olympus. |
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Was the film Sirens filmed at Springwood?
Yes, most of it. The Gallery was closed for a couple of months while they filmed. They used the Oil Room but built their own studio in the grounds. The story of the movie is fiction although loosely based on one true incident — the controversy surrounding the pen and ink drawing The Crucified Venus. |
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