Pictorialism to Modernism
Australian Photographers from the 20th Century

NOTE: Linked large images in this collection have now been archived. If you would like to view images other than those thumbnailed here please contact us email.

Harold Cazneaux (1878-1953)
Born in Adelaide, Cazneaux was converted to the art potential of photography by the work of the pictorialist movement's John Kauffmann. In 1904 he joined Freeman's studio in Sydney, but encouraged by Bostock and his success in competition, he became a freelance photographer in 1919, adopting the new modernist style of photography in the 1920s, particularly in his assignments for The Home magazine.

18 Waverley, NSW (Bondi)
1904. Carbon print in brown, titled and signed on image, 8.9 x 14cm. JLG3395
Rare early work. Cazneaux produced a series of postcards while working at Freeman Studios. The carbon photograph was popular with amateurs at the time, as the process was easy to use and the images were of great tonal variation.

$3,300
19 (Norman C. Deck)
c1905. Silver gelatin print, titled and signed below on backing, 14.8 x 10.8cm. JLG3393
Deck holds a copy of the special "Studio" number of "Art in Photography", 1905.
 $4,400
20 Darling Harbour, Sydney
c1909. Silver gelatin print, titled, estate stamp and signed by Joan Blundell verso, 23.8 x 30.5cm. JLG3389
Estate stamp has a facsimile of Cazneaux's signature. Joan Blundell was one of Cazneaux's five daughters. Illustrated in "The Quiet Observer", National Library of Australia, 1994, page 32.
$6,500
21 Passing Storm
1916. Silver gelatin print, signed and dated below on original backing, 29.5 x 23cm. JLG1935
Three of Cazneaux's daughters (Beryl, Jean and Rainbow at Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains). Illustrated in "The Cazneaux Women", Valerie Hill, Craftsman House, Sydney, 2000, page 55.
$8,800
22 Ross and Keith Smith's Arrival at Mascot
1920. Silver gelatin print, autographed below on backing by JM Bennett, Ross Smith, Keith Smith and Sgt WH Shiers, 18.2 x 30.5cm. JLG3449
The arrival of the Smith brothers and their two mechanics at Mascot on February 14 1920. The Vickers "Vimy" landed first at Darwin on 10 December 1919. The crew collected the prize of 10,000 pounds from the government for the first England to Australia flight . The Vickers "Vimy" bomber is now displayed at Adelaide Airport. Illustrated in "Philip Geeves presents Cazneaux's Sydney 1904-1934", Gael Newton, David Ell Press, Sydney, 1980, page 100.
$7,900
23 Towering Gums
1920s Silver gelatin print, titled and signed below on original backing, 19.2 x 14.9cm. Two minor crinkles lower right edge. JLG2616
 $1,900
24 (Interior Marine Mural)
1920s. Silver gelatin print, signed below on original backing and verso, 19 x 29.1cm. Some retouching of silverfish marks, repaired tears to backing. JLG3453
 $1,450
25 (Angel Fish Firescreen)
1920s. Silver gelatin print, signed below on original backing, 21.5 x 19.3cm. JLG3452
Detail from item 24 (Interior Marine Mural).
 $990
26 (Three Young Readers)
1920s. Silver gelatin print, signed below on original backing, annotated verso,14.8 x 11.4cm. JLG3464
Annotated "Mrs Fairfax…"
$1,100
27 (Young Boy)
1920s. Silver gelatin print, signed below on original backing, 33.9 x 25.4cm. Original frame. JLG3450
 $660