Nolan began painting in the 1940s and was soon recognized for his unique style that blends elements of European modernism with the Australian landscape.
Sidney Nolan (1917-1992) is considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century in Australia. Born in Melbourne, Nolan grew up in a working-class family and developed an early interest in the arts. He dropped out of school at the age of 14 to take up various jobs, including dairy farming and being a rifleman in the Australian Army.
Sir Sidney Robert Nolan (22 April 1917 – 28 November 1992) was one of Australia's leading artists of the 20th century. Working in a wide variety of mediums, his oeuvre is among the most diverse and prolific in all of modern art. He is best known for his series of paintings on legends from Australian history, most famously Ned Kelly, the bushranger and outlaw. Nolan's stylized depiction of Kelly's armor has become an icon of Australian art.
Nolan began painting in the 1940s and was soon recognized for his unique style that blends elements of European modernism with the Australian landscape. His most famous painting series depicts the legendary outlaw Ned Kelly, and these works have made Nolan one of the leading Australian artists of his generation.
Nolan was a prolific artist and throughout his career created a wide variety of works in different styles and themes, including landscape, still life, and abstract compositions. He was also known for his use of vibrant, bold colors that gave his paintings a sense of energy and movement.
In addition to his painting, Nolan was also interested in theater design and wrote poetry. He has been a passionate traveler throughout his life, spending extended periods in Europe, Africa, and America, which greatly influenced his work.
Despite his success, Nolan was often criticized by the Australian art community for his unconventional approach to painting. Nevertheless, he continued to produce innovative and thought-provoking works throughout his career and has become one of the most important figures in Australian art history.
Nolan passed away in 1992, but his legacy is considered among the most important and influential in Australian art. Today, Nolan's paintings are featured in the world's leading art museums and galleries, and his influence on Australian art and culture remains strong.
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'Freud would have had a field day': Sidney Nolan and the menage à trois that made him
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/apr/14/sidney-nolan-australian-art-transferences-pallant-house-chichester-ned-kelly
On Sidney Nolan, the painter who re-envisaged the Australian landscape
https://theconversation.com/on-sidney-nolan-the-painter-who-re-envisaged-the-australian-landscape-175909