Sydney Long

Who was Sydney Long?

Sydney Long was an Australian artist.

Born on 20 August 1871 at Ifield, Goulburn, New South Wales, Sydney Long began formal art classes at the New South Wales Art Society in 1890. In 1894 his Heidelberg School-influenced painting By Tranquil Waters caused a small scandal, but was purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The sale brought Long to the attention of Julian Ashton, a Trustee of the Gallery and founder of the influential Julian Ashton Art School, and in 1907 he became Ashton's second in command in the school. In 1898 he had a short engagement with Thea Proctor. In 1910 he moved to London, where he learned etching and became an associate of the Royal Society of Painters, Etchers and Engravers. He returned to Australia in 1921 and helped found the Australian Painters, Etchers and Engravers Society, lived in England for the period 1922-1925, then returned once more to Australia, becoming President of the Society. He won the Wynne Prize twice; in 1938 for The Approaching Storm, and in 1940 for The Lake, Narrabeen. He remained a director of the Society for many years, as well as remaining an active art teacher. In 1952 he returned once again to England.