Spring in the camphor laurels, watercolours in two states by May Gibbs

V/358
V/360

fonds

probably 1919-1924

Graphic Materials, Watercolours

9651868

2 watercolours - 56 x 38 cm or smaller - over coloured pencil, mounted on board

Cecilia May Gibbs (1877-1969) was a children's author, illustrator, and cartoonist. She drew cartoons for newspapers and is the author and illustrator of the Gumnut Babies books. She married Bertram James Ossoli Kelly in 1919 and settled in Neutral Bay. Gibbs died in Sydney on 27 November 1969.
Reference:
Walsh, Maureen. "Gibbs, Cecilia May (1877-1969)." Australian Dictionary of Biography. Accessed 4 August 2021. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gibbs-cecilia-may-6373

Acquired by Leo Berkelouw from Anthony Graham in 2013

Two watercolour drawings depicting a discreetly nude adolescent girl sitting in a tree with hands outstretched towards a bird.
ITEM 1
Includes inscription on verso: “Rough sketch for Spring in the Camphor Laurels made at Phillip Street No. 5? What a memory!" (call no. V/358)

ITEM 2
Includes inscription on verso: "Spring in the Camphor Laurels ... Effort made at 12? Phillip Street (model -Rosie's little girl)." (call no. V/360)

In copyright:
Copyright holder:: Cerebral Palsy Alliance and The Northcott Society
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy Cerebral Palsy Alliance and The Northcott Society

Sourced from inscription accompanying works

Inscription accompanying drawing on left: "Rough sketch for Spring in the Camphor Laurels made at Phillip Street No. 5? What a memory!", signed by May Gibbs.
Inscription accompanying drawing on right: "Spring in the Camphor Laurels ... Effort made at 12? Phillip Street (model -Rosie's little girl)", signed "May Gibbs Jan 4 1942."

Based on dates Gibbs lived on Philips Street, Neutral Bay