The babe is wise
(1940)
Medium
oil on cardboard
Measurements
94.2 × 73.3 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Miss Jean Campbell, 1962
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Lina Bryans was an important part of the modern movement and a member of literary and artistic circles in Melbourne during the late 1930s and 1940s. Her vibrant paintings are characterised by bold brushwork and the expressive use of colour. In 1937, Bryans began painting portraits of her friends. Her most famous work, The babe is wise, is a portrait of the writer Jean Campbell, who had recently published a novel of the same name.
Artwork Details
Inscription
inscribed in black paint l.l.: Lina
inscribed in pencil on reverse: 'THE BABE IS WISE'(JEAN CAMPBELL) 1940
inscribed in black paint on reverse: THE BABE IS WISE - LINA BRYAN
inscribed in pencil on reverse: Lina Bryans / 9 Queen St Melbn
Accession Number
1063-5
Department
Australian Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Subjects (general)
Literary and Text Portraits
Subjects (specific)
authors Campbell, Jean half figures hats seated figures single-sitter portraits women (female humans)