Arnold Haskell (1903-1981) was an English balletomane. He first visited Australia with the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet in 1936. He reported back to England for magazines such as the Dancing Times while writing articles and reviews for several Australian newspapers and journals, expounding on the urgent need for ballet schools and commenting admiringly on the size and strength of Australian girls. In particular, he held that if it developed a professional ballet company, Australia would be able to 'use' the ballet 'to prove to the world what is obvious to any conscientious observer, that it has a vigorous and truly national school of art and a deep tradition of musical appreciation'. In 1938 he returned here to research a book, confessing to readers of the Home that 'When I try to write of my love for Australia I am as helpless as one who scrawls his loved one's name a hundred times on his blotting pad.' His book about Australia, Waltzing Matilda, was published in 1944.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Rex Dupain 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
Rex Dupain (15 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Johanna McMahon revels in history and mystery in pursuit of a suite of unknown portrait subjects.
Gael Newton delves into the life and art of renowned Australian photographer, Max Dupain.
