Knotty tree near Dudinalup, Western Australia

Beatrice Darbyshire studied etching in Perth from 1913 with Henri van Raalte, and later in London between 1924–27 at the Royal College of Art under Sir Frank Short and Malcolm Osborne. She produced a small but very fine oeuvre of prints in the 1920s
and 30s, but only received widespread recognition for them later in life. Darbyshire ceased making prints after moving to Sydney in 1940.

This drypoint is a working proof, with traces of white gouache indicating the artist’s amendments to the image, prior to the final
etched state. However, only two proofs are known, and it is probable that the print was not editioned. The Gallery also has a
charcoal study for it which features the large central tree drawn from the same angle, but with a different background of small saplings. Darbyshire was very interested in the landscape around
the Balingup-Nannup road, south of Perth, which led to Dudinalup, the home of a family friend.

from Anne Ryan, 'Australian etchings and engravings 1880s–1930s from the Gallery's collection', AGNSW, Sydney 2007