Robert Emerson Curtis b. 4 October 1898

Also known as Robert Curtis, R. E. C., Cabby
  • Artist (Cartoonist / Illustrator),
  • Designer (Graphic Designer),
  • Artist (Printmaker),
  • Artist (Draughtsman)
Mid 20th century illustrator and artist. In 1922 Curtis travelled to the USA with his great friend, the pioneer filmmaker, Charles Chauvel. There he developed what was to become a lifelong interest in industrial modernism and on returning to Sydney in 1928 he set about documenting the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Mural designs for corporate clients and department stores are also known.

Citations

  • Curtis, Robert Emerson; with foreword by Dr J. J. C. Bradfield (c.1932), 'Building the Bridge: Fourteen Lithographs Celebrating the Construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge’, Sydney, NSW : Simmons Limited, Re-printed as The Bridge, Sydney, NSW : Currawong Press 1981.

  • Butler, Roger (1991), 'Australian Printmakers in America 1900-1950’, Canberra, ACT: National Gallery of Australia catalogue.

  • McCulloch, Alan; & McCulloch, Susan (1994), 'Encyclopedia of Australian art’, St Leonards, NSW : Allen & Unwin (3rd revised edition).

  • Hetherington, Michelle (1999), 'Follow the Sun : Australian Travel Posters 1930s-1950s’, Canberra, ACT : National Library of Australia exhibition brochure.

  • (1996), '[Obituary]’, Sydney Morning Herald, 04-05.

  • Wollongong, NSW : Wollongong City Gallery.

  • Germaine, Max (1990), 'Artists & galleries of Australia’, Roseville, NSW : Craftsman House (3rd enlarged edition).

  • (1921), Brisbane, Qld : Brisbane Mail.

  • Walkabout.

  • Information sourced from Van der Ven, Anne-Marie.

  • Curtis, Robert Emerson; with foreword by Prof. H. Ingham Ashworth (1967), 'A Vision Takes Form: Sydney Opera House’, Sydney, NSW : A.H. & A.W. Reed.

  • Information sourced from Glascott, Joseph.

  • (1992), 'Betty Marshall interview’, Sydney, NSW : State Library of New South Wales, Mitchell Library Oral History MLOH93/1-2, 07-31.

  • (1932), Sydney, NSW : The Daily Telegraph, 03-19.

  • 'Joan Kerr Archive’, National Library of Australia, Canberra, ACT.

  • Information sourced from Walsh, John.

  • “Robert Emerson Curtis.” Australian Art, Josef Lebovic Gallery, Collectors Lisst no.183, 2016, p.8. illustrations of mural designs for Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Atlantic Oil, Sydney are illustrated.

  • Several works described and illustrated in Australian and International Medley, no.198, 2019, Josef Lebovic Gallery, Kensington NSW.

See also

  • 'Roger Butler, Australian Printmakers in America 1900-1950, 1992. [1.4: B&W DRAWING, CURTIS self-portrait. From copy].'.

Initial data sources

  • Black and white artists