AULD, James Muir (1879-1942)

artist

son of the Rev. John Auld, a well-known Presbyterian minister, was born at Sydney in 1879. He studied under J. S. Watkins and Julian Ashton (q.v.), and began to exhibit at the Royal Art Society. He contributed black and white drawings to the Bulletin and the Sydney Mail, and going to London had work accepted for London Opinion and other journals. Returning to Australia he worked at Sydney on landscapes and figure subjects, and also did some portraits. His "The Broken Vase" was bought for the national gallery, Sydney, in 1917. He joined the Society of Artists about 1920 and frequently exhibited with it.

Towards the end of his life he spent 11 years at Thirlmere, living practically alone. The surrounding landscape did not appear to be of an inspiring kind, but Auld's work at this period ranked with his best. He died on 8 June 1942 and was survived by a daughter. He was a sound painter in the old traditions, who would not allow himself to be disturbed by the various movements which arose between the two wars. He had good colour, and was especially interested in effects of atmosphere and sunlight, which he expressed with much vitality. He is represented in the Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Manly galleries.

W. Moore, The Story of Australian Art; Society of Artists Book, 1942; death notice, The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 1942.