BARNES, Gustave (1878-1921)

artist

was born in England in 1878 and was brought to Adelaide while a child by his father, who established a modelling business. On leaving school Barnes had some training in modelling, but he was also a musician, and at 21 years of age went to Europe to continue his study of the violin. He obtained employment at the Doulton pottery works as a designer, painter and modeller, and during his evenings studied at South Kensington. After being away 10 years his father died and Barnes returned to Adelaide to carry on the business. He did a good deal of landscape painting, and was much interested in black and white work. In 1915 he was employed to classify and catalogue prints and drawings at the art gallery of South Australia and shortly afterwards was made curator of the gallery. He proved himself to be conscientious and able, and his early death on 14 March 1921 was much regretted. He married while in England and his wife survived him with two children. A modest, versatile man, he was a good musician, and as an artist worked in modelling, etching, and painting in both water-colour and oil. He is represented by three pictures in the Adelaide gallery. He took up painting at a comparatively late age, and some of his work suggests that had he lived longer he might have reached a higher position in Australian art than is usually given him.

The Register, Adelaide, 15 March 1921; The Advertiser, Adelaide, 15 March 1921; W. Moore, The Story of Australian Art; Art of the British Empire Overseas, (The Studio), p. 40.