Jeffrey Smart

When looking at an artwork of Jeffrey Smart’s, we may not immediately think of the considered sketches and drawings that took place prior. The adjustments, refinements, and spontaneous scribbles of the pencil that occurred on paper to experiment with an idea to the point of completion are often filled with invaluable insights. Some of Smart’s drawings express a fleeting thought, others are considered and intimate artworks, to be viewed as original creations in their own right. Smart believed vehemently in the tradition of studio drawing, and that draughtsmanship was essential to the success of painting.

“It is my conviction that great painting is based on good drawing. A poor draughtsman cannot be a great painter” 1

After returning to Australia to present his solo exhibition with Australian Galleries in 1986, Smart decided to explore the print medium for the first time resulting in one of his most recognisable images, The Waiting Bus. The final image produced a lithographic print in collaboration with master printmaker, Neil Leveson. Jeffrey provided Neil with a preliminary sketch, illustrating the overall composition with notes for colour preferences, as presented here as lot 12. There are only minor changes from this sketch to the final lithograph. While intended for the specific purpose of becoming a lithograph, The Waiting Bus design exemplifies Smart’s meticulous attention to architectural details and the urban landscape, reinforced in this preparatory drawing. Tonal variations and texture in The Waiting Bus image are clearly defined, details that could only be reproduced accurately by a lithography stone. This process also offered Smart a collaborative dimension to his artistic process, engaging in a dialogue that extended beyond the solitary act of painting. Printmaking allowed Smart to tap into the technical expertise of printers and embrace the possibilities afforded by the medium, becoming an integral part of his later career.

Depicted in an urban landscape, the yellow bus patiently awaits its passengers at an otherwise desolate bus top. Filled with a sense of anticipation, the viewers are faced with a T-intersection and a series of signs and arrows. Steeped in symbolism, Smart invites the viewer to consider The Waiting Bus as a quiet moment in time amidst the urban chaos. The stark architectural elements create visual tension, contrasting the warm and inviting yellow of the bus with the various greys of the landscape, reinforcing the sense of isolation amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. The Waiting Bus exemplifies Smart’s innate ability to highlight the quiet beauty found within the ordinary and everyday.

The decision to ultimately produce The Waiting Bus as a print highlights Smart’s artistic evolution and willingness to explore new mediums. Being able to understand his process further through this dedicated preparatory sketch is invaluable and forms an important part of the artist’s oeuvre.

Lucy Foster | Senior Specialist, Fine Art

12

JEFFREY SMART (1921-2013)

Drawing Study for The Waiting Bus c.1986 pencil on paper signed, with dedication lower right: For Neil with / immense gratitude & affection, / Jeffrey Smart 18 x 24cm

PROVENANCE:

Gift from the artist to Neil Leveson, Melbourne

The Collection of Dr. Lynne Leveson, Melbourne $20,000-30,000