Peonies

This beautifully rendered painting depicts a bouquet of peonies in a large silver cup, composed according to classical principles. The peonies appear luminous against the dark, velvety background, emphasised by the gleaming surfaces of the silver cup and an overturned glass. The painting's fine craftsmanship demonstrates the artist's attention to detail, form and colour.

Albert Sherman studied at the Central Technical School in Cornwall and arrived in Australian following the First World War. He became a member of the Royal Art Society, Sydney from 1928 and established his reputation as a painter of flowers. In association with the Red Cross Flower Festival, Sydney in 1936, Sherman first exhibited 'Peonies', which received special mention and was purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.