Leroy Livingstone de Maistre: A Pioneer of Australian Modern Art

Early Life and Education

• Born: March 27, 1894, in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia as Leroy Livingstone de Mestre.
• De Maistre came from a prominent family; his father was a renowned racehorse trainer and his grandfather a successful businessman.
• He received a private education through tutors and governesses before pursuing formal studies in art and music in Sydney in 1913.
• He studied violin and viola at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music, even playing viola in the Sydney Orchestra.
• His artistic training began at the Royal Art Society of New South Wales under Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo, alongside future notable artists like Grace Cossington Smith and Roland Wakelin. He was encouraged to explore Post-Impressionism.

World War I and Early Artistic Development

• De Maistre attempted to enlist in the First Australian Imperial Force multiple times, facing initial rejections due to health concerns. He eventually served as a medical orderly.
• Tuberculosis, which he had concealed from army doctors, significantly impacted his physical condition and ultimately led to his discharge.
• His illness prompted him to focus solely on painting, abandoning his musical aspirations.
• Early works (1916) reflected Impressionistic influences, focusing on the effects of light.

The Colour-Music Experiments

• De Maistre’s most groundbreaking work began with his exploration of “colour-music” in 1917. He collaborated with Dr. Charles Gordon Moffit on colour therapy for shell-shocked soldiers.
• He developed a theory harmonizing colours and musical notes, believing they shared fundamental relationships.
• Working with Adrian Verbrugghen and later Roland Wakelin, he created a “colour-music” scale where colours corresponded to notes in major and minor scales.
• The 1919 joint exhibition with Wakelin, titled ‘Colour in Art’, showcased this concept – an attempt to orchestrate colour like music.
• Rhythmic composition in yellow green minor (1919) remains a key example of this experimental period.

Artistic Transition and Later Works

• De Maistre is recognized as the first Australian artist to embrace pure abstraction, stemming from his colour-music investigations.
• However, he later shifted towards a figurative style heavily influenced by Cubism. This demonstrates his versatility and evolving artistic vision.
• The Stations of the Cross, commissioned for Westminster Cathedral, is arguably his most celebrated achievement – a significant religious artwork.
• Other notable works include A painted picture of the universe (1960).

Legacy and Historical Significance

• De Maistre’s pioneering work in colour-music and abstraction profoundly impacted Australian art, challenging conventional approaches.
• His innovative ideas influenced generations of artists both within Australia and internationally.
• His works are held in prestigious collections including the Tate Gallery (London), the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney), and the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne).
• He died on March 1, 1968, leaving behind a legacy as a visionary artist who bridged the gap between visual art and music.