Hugh Ramsay

Hugh Ramsay was one of his generation’s most celebrated painters. He studied at the National Gallery of Victoria School under the guidance of Bernard Hall and Frederick McCubbin before travelling to Europe in 1900. He enjoyed success at the New Salon in Paris where three of his works were selected for display—more than any other Australian artist. However, he was forced to return home to Melbourne the following year after contracting tuberculosis. He produced some of his best-known works in this period, prior to his death in 1906 at the age of 28. Renowned for his sensitivity to his subjects and his mastery of tonal portraits in oil, Untitled (Seated Girl), 1896-98, is an early example of his talent from his days as a student. His subject is unclothed to the waist and seated facing away, her hair parted and drawn over her shoulders to reveal her back and the nape of her neck. It typifies Ramsay’s approach to his subjects across his career, often presented with a disarming sense of agency unconventional to his time.

Artist / Maker

Hugh Ramsay (1877—1906) [Australian]

Creation Date

1896-98

Collection

University Art Collection

Subjects

Art and Design - Paintings

Materials used

oil on canvas on board

Dimensions
(H x W x D)

sight 95.2 x 70.1 cm frame 113.5 x 88.5 x 5.5 cm

Credit line

The University of Melbourne Art Collection. Gift of Melbourne High School to Melbourne Teachers College, 1965

Accession number

1965.0018.000.000

Copyright

Public domain. For image enquiries contact the Museums and Collections Department, Potter Museum of Art.

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