Potts Point Sydney Australia

Sydney Ure Smith O.B.E. 1887-1949, was an English born Australian Arts publisher and part time painter, but did not exhibit his own works. He studied pencil and ink drawing at the Ashton School of Art where he also learnt etching. This picture is inscribed on the reverse and bears a Sydney, Australia, frame maker's label, it also reads that it is a gift to Margaret ( Preston ). This is a conclusion of study into the biographies of Sydney Smith and Margaret Preston who had a long established affection for art and each other. They communicated throughout the period when Preston moved from Macquaire Street, Sydney, to the outback where she extended her range of still life art. Smith and Preston lived on the same road in Sydney, Preston lived in a colonial type house and Smith lived virtually opposite in a small block of flats overlooking Potts Point. It is our suggestion that this picture was drawn and painted by Smith as a gift to Margaret Preston upon her return to Sydney, and probably painted from her garden. This picture was presented upon her return, this particular conclusion has been disputed by those that are supposed to know better and yet fail to understand the deep affection between Preston and Smith, where Smith promoted Margaret Preston when there was no- one else to do so, he had complete faith in her ability to succeed which she managed, it is a true story of the love of art.