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The Bridges of the Yarra

$26.95

A Book of Paintings, Poetry and Prose

Author - Dacre Smyth
Published in 1991, Australia
Hardcover, 131 Pages
Size - 23cm * 22cm

From the Introduction:

I do not remember having introduced a book before, and I feel the pleasant little task is made no easier when the author is a friend, and when one feels that the publication is a significant contribution to our history. I propose to describe what the book contains, and to give a short account of the author's life and antecedents which seem to me to be relevant in many ways.

The book contains fifty-six reproductions in faithful colour and tone of pictures of the Yarra and its bridges, from dockland to the bush. All these pictures were painted with the palette knife. This technique has some distinct advantages. It leads to breadth. to a painterly clarity and sharpness of distinction between one colour or tone and its neighbour, and to the happy accidents of shape and design which constantly contribute to character and interest. Also there is a sparkle which the three dimensional element gives to the reflection of light from the multiplicity of planes which the painter creates when he works in this way.

Each picture has with its title a brief historical and topographical note. Also there is in each case a feature which I think painters in particular will find very attractive - a short statement in simple clear verse describing the essence and character of the scene and perhaps the mood or reflections of the artist at the time. These pictures, and the book of reproductions, are so pleasing to the eye that they can stand on their own without any verbal praise or description. But we are dealing, as I have said, with a contribution to our history, in which the River Yarra occupies so great a part. There can be no doubt that future historians will look on this contemporary report as a rare treasure.

They would also wish to know something of the artist and his antecedents. The artist is the son of a very distinguished British General, Sir Nevill Smyth V.C., who commanded Australian troops on Gallipoli in 1915 and later in France. He was a lifetime professional soldier who served in many parts of the world, and like others of his family was a very competent and attractive painter. He sent many sketches and pictures, made on service and in action, home to London where they were published in the Illustrated London News.

After the First War Sir Nevill Smyth lived in London, where Dacre was born in 1923. The General always retained very affectionate feelings for his Australian troops, and they for him. When he retired he decided to settle in Australia and he brought his wife and family to the Western District of Victoria. It is interesting to learn that this family traces descent from the famous John Smith, the founder of Virginia and the hero of the Pocahontas drama.

Dacre Smyth, our artist, was educated at Geelong Grammar School and the R.A.N. College. He joined our Navy in 1940 and had an extraordinarily active career in the Second War; he served in European waters, including the Normandy invasion, and in the Pacific, including the Coral Sea Battle He has held innumerable high appointments - A.D.C. to the Queen; Naval Officer in Charge, Victoria; Captain of the R.A.N. College; and many others. Recently he retired as a Commodore and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.

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