Roy de Maistre (1894-1968) Government House

Roy de Maistre (1894-1968) Government House oil on panel 35.0 x 42.0cm (13 3/4 x 16 9/16in). Footnotes: PROVENANCE Admiral Sir Dudley and Lady Enid de Chair, Sydney thence by descent Private collection, Ireland From 1924 through to 1930, Sir Dudley de Chair was Governor of New South Wales. English born, Sir Dudley and his wife Lady Enid de Chair were active members of Sydney society, hosting numerous events in the grounds of Government House and participating in the cultural life of Sydney. As noted by Heather Johnson, 'The de Chairs used a summer residence near Moss Vale and were friends of de Maistre's mother and sister. Lady de Chair was a very active supporter of the arts during her time in Australia, not only in her official capacity but also from personal interest. Lady de Chair was eclectic in her approach to art and included the modernist painters – de Maistre, Wakelin, Cossington Smith and Preston – in her patronage.'1 Officially opening de Maistre's 1926 exhibition at Macquarie Galleries, Lady de Chair's remarks were reported in the newspapers under the headline Modern art has come to stay2. A frequent visitor to Government House, de Maistre most likely painted these two works plein air in the gardens. In 1929, he was to paint a portrait of Sir Dudley de Chair for the Archibald Prize, which remains on display at Government House. Upon their return to London in 1930, the de Chairs commissioned de Maistre to design the celebrated mural panels for their apartment which are now in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. Showing the Moon Gate Garden of their country residence, Podenhale, the murals were recently displayed in association with the exhibition Sydney Moderns. 1. Heather Johnson, Roy de Maistre: The Australian Years 1894 – 1930, Craftsman House, Sydney, p.51 2. Sydney Morning Herald, 7 April 1926, p.12 THIS WORK CAN BE VIEWED IN OUR SYDNEY GALLERY For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing