When Brett Whiteley was thirteen years old, he found a tiny book on Vincent Van Gogh lying on the floor of St Stephen’s Church in Bathurst. The moment was catalytic. Despite existing in a time and place far removed from rural New South Wales, he immediately resonated with Van Gogh. Like the latter, Whiteley perceived the world with a unique intensity he identified as “expandingness”.

In this work, Whiteley pays homage to his artistic hero. It also, however, hints at his sadness. This duality is core to Whiteley’s talent and life. At once lively and fraught, it sees the Dutch master as a surrogate for Whiteley himself.

Among Australia’s most celebrated artists, Whiteley won the Art Gallery of NSW Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes several times. ‘The Back of the Asylum, St Remy’ is a moving find for passionate collectors of iconic Australian art, Whiteley and impressionism.

Brett WHITELEY (1939 - 1992)
'The Back of the Asylum, St Remy (Another Way of Looking at Vincent Van Gogh)' 1983
etching on paper
Edition of 100
Image Size: 21 x 37 cm
Dimensions: 42 x 57 x 3 cm
Signed: brett whiteley lower right
Comes with a Letter of Provenance

Exhibited:
- Brett Whiteley: The Complete Graphics 1961-1982, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, 30 March - 24 April 1983 (other examples)
- Another Way of Looking at Vincent van Gogh 1888-1889 by Brett Whiteley 1968-1983, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 4 July - 21 August 1983 (other examples)
- An Exhibition by Brett Whiteley - Eden and Eve, Australian Galleries, Melbourne, 12-28 July 1984, [additional to catalogue] cat.60 (other examples, as set of 3 etchings with book)

Reference:
- Mandy, R., Brett Whiteley: The Complete Graphics, 1961-1982, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, 1983, p.65, cats.80, 81, 82 (illus., other examples)
- Brett Whiteley: The Graphics 1961-1992, Deutscher Fine Art, Melbourne, 1995, pp.76-77, cats.72, 73, 74 (illus., other examples)
- Sutherland, K., Brett Whiteley: Catalogue Raisonné, Schwartz Publishing, Melbourne, 2020, vol.4, p.214 (image (ii) illus., another example), vol.5, pp.144, 145, 147, cats.121P, 122P, 123P (illus., other examples), vol.7, pp.833-834

Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame.

(c) Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency