Ambrose Hallen (1886-1943) was an Australian modernist artist whose work went largely unrecognised in this country. He lived for some thirty years in France, and his work was to retain the influence of the Ecole de Paris artists with whom he was acquainted. In the late 1930s he taught painting in Melbourne.
Lina Bryans was central to the introduction of modernist techniques and philosophy to the Melbourne art establishment. She recognised the international context of Hallens's work, respected his knowledge, and was attuned to his intellectual interest in the place of the artist in society. Bryans was friendly with many leading literary and artistic figures. Between 1937 and 1974 she painted more than seventy portraits of her circle, of which this was the first.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Sir James and Lady Cruthers 2001
© Estate of Lina Bryans
Accession number: 2001.12
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On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Roger Benjamin explores the intriguing union of Lina Bryans and Alex Jelinek.
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