ARTWORK HISTORY:
Our family is very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to creative art to chinaware and even classic old (quality) technology!
Our focus has always been landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand but over the years we have gathered far too many and new homes must be found for our "excess" artworks.
Back in the early 1980's we purchased this lithographic limited edition print while purchasing a couple of landscape originals by Joseph Frost, sort of like a package deal I guess you could say.
Well, this print certainly has gumtree's in common with landscapes that we love so much but overall it is totally out of character with our other artworks so we put it away years ago, until today!
This limited edition lithographic print is yet another of our artworks which must now find a new home!
THE SUBJECT:
Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga Sydney prominantly showing the historical main building with the First XI playing cricket on the lower field.
Knox Grammar is a very prestigous private school, founded as a Presbyterian Boys’ School back in the mid 1920's
The school motto "Virile Agitur" which is prominently placed in the centre of this artwork, comes from St Paul's letter to the Corinthians. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love."
Today they are a Uniting Church school, still a boys school but with Co-ed Prep schooling offered up to Year 6.
The main building was built in 1925 with the clock tower (with steeple and flag) added in 1928
This artwork was created by Joseph around the mid 1970's, not long after arriving in Sydney.
The school's main building and promenade look quite different these days due to a significant building program that was initiated by the headmaster Dr Ian Paterson A.M (1969 ~ 1999)
JOSEPH FROST:
Born 1953 (Czechoslovakia) emigrating to Australia 1974, initially based in Sydney, working in a North Sydney gallery.
He is most well known for his maritime paintings, a favourite subject of his due to his work being so close to Sydney Harbour. Many early paintings feature water, boats, Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounds, he did also paint a lesser number of non-maritime scenes during his time living in Sydney.
It seems curious that he painted Knox Grammar school and we have always wondered if perhaps this artwork was originally a commission artwork? I don't know.
Joseph left Sydney in 1980 moving to Numeralla (near Cooma) where he enjoying depicting realist landscapes, he had enough of the hussle and bussle of the city life and enjoyed the peace that only nature can provide.
Fantastic visual historical piece of a landmark Sydney High School, Knox Grammar which may be of particular interest to a "baby boomer" Knox old boy in particular.
It would look great hanging on the home study or library wall!
JOSEPH FROST - Knox Grammer School (Main building with a cricket game in progress)
Mid 1970's
Lithographic print
Limited Edition # 170/500
Signed by Joseph in both the artwork (left hand side in Red) and on the lower right-hand side
The edition number and signature of Joseph are in lead pencil
Artwork measurements: 275mm wide x 187mm high
Frame measurements: 670mm wide x 570mm high
Weight: 5kg (7Kg packed)
The frame is rather nice too. Solid timber, well made and strong. The frame is decorated with colour wash and light gold gilding.
Of course the artwork is behind glass.
Now this is only my personal suspicion but I would like to believe this frame was designed and constructed by Joseph himself. Remember that during this period of his career he was working at the North Sydney gallery, learning the craft of framing.
Visually, the frame/artwork layout design is clever. The frame does not dominate the eye, which is drawn to the much smaller artwork within the frame - eye catching but not overwhelming.
Sticker on the rear indicates the company we purchased this from, along with other works from Joseph at the time.
THE WEIGHT:
This is a HEAVY frame, allowance must be made for this when hanging and in fact the rear has THREE cords, two of which are nylon and one wire.
CONDITION:
Artwork is clean
Nice bevelled surround which reaches out to the plain white backboard.
This backboard does have some very light but noticeable spotting, particularly on the left hand side. The rear of the board also has extensive spotting. Yes, I am guilty! We put this artwork away years ago and did not allow for humidity - the spotting is the result.
I have examined the artwork extremely closely and this does NOT exhibit the same problem.
NO issues with artwork discolouration (always stored in the dark)
One light "knock mark" to the frame outer edge on the top right hand side. A little "touch up" could solve this problem if it bothered the new owner.
Although large, safely packing and shipping of this artwork is no problem (FREE within Australia), we take great care in packing especially delicate items such as this painting.
FREE shipping because this artwork meets our criteria of any orders exceeding A$76 value
