Leslie Harold Beer, watercolour and graphic artist and arts writer was born in Petersham, Sydney,in 1882 or 1886, the son of William Lewis Beer a printer and wife Elizabeth nee Smith. Brothers or relatives were involved with commercial photography in Sydney and Bowral in the 1915-20s. Leslie Beer studied drawing at Sydney Technical College in 1898. He exhibited at the Society of Artists 1901 and Royal Art Society of NSW from 1903, mainly watercolours of Sydney.
In 1909 Beer spent time in Paris studying art and wrote of his experiences 'An Art Student in Paris’ in the Harrington’s Photographic Journal of December 1909 and on 'The Latin Quarter Today’ in_ The Lone Hand_ of 1 February 1913. He was employed by Harringtons Ltd Sydney 1910-17 as editor of Harrington Photographic Journal and relocated as manager of the Melbourne Harrington’s by 1917 remaining with the firm until 1925.
Leslie Beer illustrated a number of articles with his own drawings and appears competent as do the small number of extant watercolours of Sydney in a manner similar to J.J. Hilder. While involved with Art Societies there is little evidence of ambition for a professional practise as an artist. Census records list Beer variously as salesman and journalist.
Beer wrote on an art and photography for The Lone Hand around 1914-16 taking an interest in cinematography in the May and October issues of 1915. He gave lectures to Camera clubs in Sydney and Melbourne and acted as a judge for amateur competitions and society salons. In 1919 he provided substantial essay for _The Art of John Kauffmann _- a deluxe monograph on prominent art photographer.
Difficult times followed in the 1930s. Beer may have started a photographic studio in Carlton in 1926 but fire in 1935 or 1936 brought ruin. He appears to be the Leslie Harold Beer who commits suicide by prussic acid on the South Yarra banks on 13 May hoping his demise would lift a burden from his wife Vera.
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
newtog
- Date written:
- 1999
- Last updated:
- 2022
