References: 1. Brian Adams "Portrait of an Artist" p.34, 2. Lowell, Tarling "1967 - This Is It" P.92, 3. Subject "Early Steamship of Orientline, copied from photograph as common practice.
Dobell House
The home and studio (1942-1970) of the late three times Archibald Prize winner, Sir William Dobell, and his sister, Thirza Alice, is maintained by local volunteers as a memorial museum. The house is on the interim list of the National Estates Register and contains original furniture, possessions, memorabilia, family mementoes, photographs and prints of his works are displayed. The house is also a centre for promotion of local community arts activities and exhibitions.
Address:
47 Dobell Drive, Wangi Wangi, NSW
Tel:
0249754115
Hours:
Sunday & Public Holidays 11:00am - 4:00pm. Groups by appointment, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday during January 2:00pm - 4:00pm.
Admission:
Adult $4.00, Child $2.00, Concession $3.00, Family $8.00
Facilities:
Guided tours, shop, brochure, small reference library. Location alongside foreshore reserve on Lake Macquarie, where a plaque commemorates Dobell's Centenary
Collection:
Estimated 700-800 items. Original furniture, possessions, memorabilia, family mementos, photographs and prints of his works are displayed.
Items
Oil Painting
S.S. Cotopaxi
Creator:
Robert Dobell (1861-1939) Father of Sir William
Description:
Oil on Canvas Board, size 910mm x 610mm
Date:
1890-1900
Door
Decorated Bathroom Door
Creator:
Sir William Dobell (1899-1970)
Description:
Door between sister's room and bathroom decorated with oil paintings of flowers and fruit incorporating a note "lather Ye Well".
Date:
1950-1960
Painted by Bill while keeping his sister Thirza Alice company whilst she was sick in bed. Copied from fruit and floral gifts she had received
Framed drawing
B. Dobell
Creator:
Lady Maei Casey
Description:
Pen sketch on paper of William Dobell. Size 190mm x 203mm, subject "head of Sir William"
Date:
1966-68
Following his knighthood in 1966, Dobell became a frequent visitor to admiralty house where he and Lady Casey (wife of the Governor General) enjoyed sketching together on the terrace, later providing inspiration for his painting "The Opera House", 1968. The drawing shows Dobell with ever-present cigarette. Her title "B.Dobell" reflects his preference for the informality of Bill.
Piano
Semi Grand Piano
Creator:
John Brinsmead and sons, London
Description:
Personal instrument of Sir William Dobell
Date:
1915-20
Dobell was also quite a talented pianist. One of his portrait subjects was Camille Gheysen, a minor composer who later became a Patron of Dobell and also presented him with a number of small piano compositions, a copy of one of which is in the Dobell House Collection, called Dobelius.
Etched Print
William Dobell
Creator:
Louis Kahan
Description:
Dry point print. Subject "sketch of Dobell's head
Date:
1962
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