George Bell (painter)
Encyclopedia
George Frederick Henry Bell (1 December 1878 — 23 October 1966) was an Australia
n painter.
He was born in Kew, Victoria, the son of George Bell, a public servant, and educated at Kew High School. He studied at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School
from 1895-1903. and continued his studies in Paris and London in the early 1900s.
During World War I he worked first as a teacher and then in a munitions factory. From October 1918 to the end of 1919 he was an official war artist to the 4th Division of the Australian Imperial Force
.
Bell's major war painting concerning the Battle of Hamel
: Dawn at Hamel 4 July 1918, was completed in Australia in 1921 and now hangs in the Australian War Memorial
.
The Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
collection includes his work entitled The Conversation. One of his early formal paintings, The Conversation was painted when he was overseas and was first exhibited at the Modern Society of Portrait Painters in 1911.
In 1932 he opened an art school in Melbourne, the Bourke Street Studio School. Later that year he formed the Contemporary Group of Melbourne. In 1937 Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies attempted to establish the Australian Academy of Art, an Australian equivalent to the Royal Academy. Bell was the leading opponent of the plan and a spokesman for 'modern art', and pursued a prolonged public argument with Menzies, forming the Contemporary Art Society of which he became founding president.
He was appointed O.B.E. in 1966. He died at his home at Toorak the same year, survived by his wife and daughter.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n painter.
He was born in Kew, Victoria, the son of George Bell, a public servant, and educated at Kew High School. He studied at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School
National Gallery of Victoria Art School
The National Gallery of Victoria Art School , associated with the National Gallery of Victoria, was founded in 1867. It was the leading centre for academic art training in Australia until about 1910. Among its luminaries, the school was headed by John Brack from 1962-68 and Sir William Dargie was...
from 1895-1903. and continued his studies in Paris and London in the early 1900s.
During World War I he worked first as a teacher and then in a munitions factory. From October 1918 to the end of 1919 he was an official war artist to the 4th Division of the Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
.
Bell's major war painting concerning the Battle of Hamel
Battle of Hamel
The Battle of Hamel was a successful attack launched by the Australian Corps of the Australian Imperial Force and several American units against German positions in and around the town of Hamel in northern France during World War I....
: Dawn at Hamel 4 July 1918, was completed in Australia in 1921 and now hangs in the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
.
The Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest and largest regional art gallery in Australia. Established in 1884 as the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery by the citizens of Ballarat both the building and part of its collection is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registerand by the National Trust of Victoria.The...
collection includes his work entitled The Conversation. One of his early formal paintings, The Conversation was painted when he was overseas and was first exhibited at the Modern Society of Portrait Painters in 1911.
In 1932 he opened an art school in Melbourne, the Bourke Street Studio School. Later that year he formed the Contemporary Group of Melbourne. In 1937 Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies attempted to establish the Australian Academy of Art, an Australian equivalent to the Royal Academy. Bell was the leading opponent of the plan and a spokesman for 'modern art', and pursued a prolonged public argument with Menzies, forming the Contemporary Art Society of which he became founding president.
He was appointed O.B.E. in 1966. He died at his home at Toorak the same year, survived by his wife and daughter.