Modern Australian Aboriginal Art

By Rex Battarbee

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1958 

Signed and inscribed by Rex Battarbee

With 21 full page one-sided colour plates, plus another 12 illustrations.

Strehlow's foreword focuses on 'the original purpose of native pictorial art and in the emotional and artistic appeal that it once made upon the aboriginal spectators'. 

Battarbee's introduction tells of his meeting with Albert Namatjira in 1934 and its aftermath.

An interesting study of the artistic development of a select group of Aboriginal Australians who adapted the style of the traditional European landscape to create hybridised paintings reflecting their unique environment and world view.

There are 12 black and white photographs of the artists themselves followed by 21 single-sided colour plates on glossy finished paper being works from the following artists:

Albert Namatjira.

Edwin Pareroultja.

Otto Pareroultja.

Reuben Pareroultja.

Walter Ebatarinja.

Enos Namatjira.

Oska Namatjira.

Henoch Raberaba.

Richard Moketarinja.

Ewald Namatjira.

In 96 pages, in marron cloth hardcovers with titles in gilt to the front cover, and to the spine. The Dustjacket: It has seen better days but has done its job in protecting the book. There is wear to the edges, closed tears and chips, the rear left corner missing. There is no sunning. There is no foxing. It has not been price-clipped. The Book: There is no shelfwear or handling marks. There is light scattered foxing to the first two leaves and to the last leaf. There is small neat no previous owner's name to the half-title page. All plates are bright, fresh and crisp - pristine. There are no missing, loose, damaged, stained, or creased pages. The binding and block are solid. It is complete and original. Measures 23cm x 28.5cm.

A great copy for the collector.