Sir Lionel Arthur Lindsay

Sir Lionel Lindsay, along with his brother Norman, is considered to be one of the greatest original printmakers ever to have emerged from Australia. A masterly technician and an outstanding draughtsman, he did much through his work, writing and public speaking to popularise the revived medium of original printmaking in Australia.

Having already established himself as the foremost of Australian etcher, Lionel Lindsay joined his colleagues to found the Australian Painter-Etchers’ Society and he was President for their first exhibition. However, he left this grouping and went to London in 1926 to meet Harold Wright of the dealers P.& D. Colnaghi. A close friendship ensued and Colnaghi’s handled his work from there on. After his meeting with Wright, Lionel Lindsay’s art turned towards topographical drypoints of France and Spain. His work was an immense success and firmly established him as one of the leading printmakers resident in England. He did not re-commence wood engraving until his return to Australia in 1930.