Norman Lindsay

Norman Alfred William Lindsay (22 February 1879 – 21 November 1969) was an Australian artist, writer, and thinker. He was one of the most well-known Australian artists of his time.

Lindsay loved nature and old stories. He often used them in his art, which some people found unusual.

Lindsay was very proud of his Australian identity. He worked for a famous magazine called The Bulletin and shared his opinions about art.

One of his most popular books is The Magic Pudding, written and illustrated in 1918. This fun story about a magic pudding that never runs out is a classic in Australian children’s books.

Lindsay was known for his lively personality. He often spoke out against strict rules. A movie called Sirens from 1994 shows some of his adventures, with actor Sam Neill playing him. The house where he lived in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, is now a place where people can learn about his life and see his artwork. It is called the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum and is looked after by the National Trust of Australia.

Early life

Norman Lindsay was born in Creswick, Victoria. His parents were Robert Charles William Alexander Lindsay and Jane Elizabeth Lindsay. Lindsay had brothers and sisters, including Percy Lindsay, Lionel Lindsay, Ruby Lindsay, and Daryl Lindsay.

Career

In 1895, Lindsay moved to Melbourne to work on a magazine with his brother Lionel. In 1901, he joined the Sydney Bulletin, where he worked for fifty years.

Lindsay wrote the popular children’s book The Magic Pudding. He was also an artist who used many different styles like pen drawing, etching, watercolour, and oil. Lindsay was very busy. He often made art in the morning, worked on sculptures in the afternoon, and wrote books at night. He also built model ships and designed things for his home.

Reception

Norman Lindsay’s artwork often caused strong feelings. Some people thought his bold and expressive nudes were too shocking, calling them inappropriate. Others loved the detail and emotion in his drawings, praising how he showed the human form with care and individuality.

In 1940, Lindsay sent many of his artworks to the United States to keep them safe during the war. Sadly, the train carrying the pieces caught fire, and the works were destroyed by officials. Despite this loss, Lindsay kept creating more art.

Personal life

Norman Lindsay married Catherine (Kate) Agatha Parkinson in Melbourne on 23 May 1900. They had three sons: Jack, born in 1900, Raymond in 1903, and Philip in 1906. The couple divorced in 1918. Norman later married Rose Soady, who helped with his work and often posed for his art.

After their parents divorced, Jack became a well-known publisher and writer. Philip wrote historical novels and worked in films. Sadly, Philip passed away in 1958 and Raymond in 1960.

Death

Lindsay is buried in Springwood Cemetery in Springwood, near Faulconbridge where he lived.

Legacy

A lot of Norman Lindsay’s artwork is kept in his old home in Faulconbridge, New South Wales, now called the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum. Many of his pieces are also in private and company collections. His art becomes more valuable over time. In 2002, one of his paintings named Spring's Innocence sold for A$333,900 to the National Gallery of Victoria, which was a very high price at that time.

Oral History

In 1965, artist Norman Lindsay talked about his art and his life with a person named Keith Adam. You can listen to this talk at the National Library of Australia.

Fictional portrayals

The first big movie based on Norman Lindsay's books was Our Girl Friday, from 1953. It was made from his novel The Cautious Amorist.

In 1969, a film called Age of Consent came out. This movie was based on Lindsay's book from 1938. It was the last full movie directed by Michael Powell. Stars included James Mason and Helen Mirren in her first movie role.

In 1994, actor Sam Neill played Norman Lindsay in a film called Sirens. This movie was filmed at Lindsay’s home in Faulconbridge. It was the first movie for Australian model Elle Macpherson.

In 1972, five of Lindsay’s books were made into TV shows by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. These books were Halfway to Anywhere, Redheap, A Curate in Bohemia, The Cousin from Fiji, and Dust or Polish. Sadly, many of these TV shows are not available to watch anymore.

Works

Norman Lindsay wrote many novels, such as A Curate in Bohemia, Redheap, and The Magic Pudding. He also made children's books, poetry illustrations, and essays about art. Some of his books became movies.

His autobiography, My Mask, came out after he died. Other authors have also written books about his life and work.