This exhibition celebrated the creative achievements of three generations of the women artists of the Boyd family, one of Australia’s most extraordinary and talented artistic families.
Boyd Women
6 October – 10 December 2017
Beginning with the work of Emma Minnie Boyd, the exhibition explored the influences, careers, collaborations and the important role of the women in working creatively across generations of this inspiring family environment. Their connection with Open Country and Murrumbeena and their significant contribution to 20th century Australian art was investigated in the exhibition.
A rich selection of paintings, watercolours, drawings and ceramics by Emma Minnie Boyd, Doris Boyd, Lucy Boyd Beck, Mary Boyd, Yvonne Boyd, Hermia Boyd and other artists from the Boyd family were featured in the exhibition. Works were sourced from major public gallery and museum collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, Bundanon Trust, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Mornington Regional Gallery, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Shepparton Art Museum, Glen Eira City Council and private collections.
Installation views
List of artists and works
Emma Minnie Boyd (1858–1936)
An Afternoon Nap 1874
Watercolour on paper
17 x 22.5 cm
Private Collection
The window seat 1887
Oil on canvas
31 x 41 cm irreg
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of June Stewart in memory of Dr Randall Stewart through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2009
2009.447
Afternoon Tea 1888
Oil on canvas
41 x 35.8 cm
Purchased 1888
Collection: Bendigo Art Gallery 1888.1
Untitled 1889
Oil on wood
20 x 20 cm
Private Collection
To the Workhouse 1891
Oil on canvas
91 x 61.2 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Mrs Emma a’Beckett, 1893
p.399.4-1
Brussels Street Scene c 1893
Watercolour on paper
58.5 x 46 cm
Private Collection
Spring 1890
Watercolour on paper
17.7 x 25.3 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Penleigh House, Wiltshire 1891
Watercolour on paper
17.8 x 25 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
The Prayer c 1895
Oil on canvas
45.7 x 62 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
The Cobbler 1902
Watercolour on paper
45.6 x 30.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
The Old church, Bellerive, Tasmania 1908
Watercolour on paper
24.1 x 35.7 cm
Roland Wrigley Estate, 1979
1979.2
Collection: Art Gallery of Ballarat
Doris Boyd sketching on the Yarra River 1914
Watercolour on paper
26.7 x 36.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Untitled (Two cows in landscape) not dated
Watercolour on paper
17 x 25 cm
Private Collection
Open Country 1921
Watercolour on paper
38 x 53.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Coastal Scrub, Sandringham 1927
Watercolour on paper
25.5 x 35.9 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Tree by Creek 1932
Watercolour on paper
18 x 25.5 cm
Glen Eira City Council Art Collection
Bush evening 1934
Watercolour on paper
29.5 x 23 cm
Collection: Art Gallery of Ballarat
Purchased 1992
1992.77
Helen Read (1903–1993)
Yerong Creek 1974
Oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
Private Collection
Doris Boyd (1889–1960)
Lucy Boyd aged about 21 years 1936
Oil on canvas
46 x 40.9 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Yvonne and Arthur Boyd’s House at Beaumaris 1954-55
Watercolour on paper
23.2 x 36.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Port Phillip Bay undated
Watercolour on paper
22 x 26 cm
Collection: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
Gift of Lauraine Diggins, 2003
Landscape with trees 1947
Watercolour on paper
34 x 24 cm
Private Collection
Untitled (landscape) undated
Oil on canvas
44.5 x 43.5 cm
Private Collection
Merric playing the piano, The Brown Room 1957
Watercolour on paper
24.5 x 27 cm
Private Collection
Vase with trees undated
Ceramic
13.4 x 9.4 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Untitled (trees with child and horse) undated
Ceramic plate
37 cm diameter
Private Collection
Untitled (trees with child and horse) undated
Ceramic plate
12 cm diameter
Private Collection
Rural landscape with Church c 1947
Painted ceramic tile panel
17.4 x 47.9 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Figure under tree with two birds c 1947
Painted ceramic tile panel
22.2 x 30.7 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Honey pot and lid 1915
Ceramic
11.7 x 12.5 x 12.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Vase with tree 1941
Ceramic
8 x 17.8 x 5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Vase with trees 1944
Ceramic
13.4 x 6 x 9.4 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Humanity 1931
Ceramic
13 x 6 x 6 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Devotion c 1936
Earthenware
14 x 6 x 6 cm
Private Collection
Untitled (two figures and angel) not dated
Earthenware tile
15.5 x 15.5 cm
Private Collection
Sleeping Cat 1933
Earthenware
3.5 x 7.6 x 5.3 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of John Alexander Lyne through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012 (2012.253)
Vase with trees 1944
Ceramic
13.4 x 9.4 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Merric Boyd (potter) (1888–1959) and Doris Boyd (decorator) (1889–1960)
Untitled (trees) 1938
Earthenware
6.5 x 6.5cm
Private Collection
Landscape Vase 1932
Stoneware
12.3 x 12.3 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Kenneth Hood Bequest Fund, 2012
2012.22
Vase 1935
Earthenware
16.3x 13.1 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1974
D76-1974
Vase 1938
Earthenware
8.3 x 8.4 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of John Alexander Lyne through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012
2012.230
Jug 1931
Earthenware
21.9 x 20.0 x 17.3 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Don McRae, 1991
D30-1991
Jug 1935
Earthenware
6.8 x 7.5 x 11.3 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of John Alexander Lyne through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012
2012.254
Merric Boyd (1888–1959)
Portrait of Doris Boyd c 1914
Plaster
39 x 18 x 19.5 cm
Private Collection
Yvonne Boyd (1920–2013)
Melbourne Tram 1944
Oil on muslin on cardboard
51 x 63 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Children, Fitzroy 1944
Oil on muslin on cardboard
64 x 75.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Aboriginal girl 1941
Watercolour on paper
48.5 x 40.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Aboriginal girl 1941
Watercolour on paper
46 x 38 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Rural Buildings 1934–35
Oil on canvas
28 x 41.4 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
New Monkey House 1940
Oil on canvas
27 x 33.2 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Point Lonsdale 1940-43
Oil on canvas on board
44.9 x 61.6 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Untitled 1945
Ceramic tiles
50 x 80cm
Private Collection
Tiled coffee table – Sturt Desert Pea 1945–49
Ceramic and timber
32 x 99.2 x 38 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Untitled c 1945
Ceramic tiled table
50 x 80 x 50 cm
Private Collection
Arthur Merric Boyd Pottery, Murrumbeena, Melbourne, Manufacturer 1944–58
Yvonne Boyd (1920–2013) (potter and decorator)
Coffee cup and saucer c 1950
Earthenware
6.8 x 11.5 cm diameter (overall)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Don McRae, 1991
D34. a-b-1991
Coffee cup and saucer c 1950
Earthenware
6.7 x 12.4 cm diameter (overall)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Don McRae, 1991
D35.a-b-1991
Two bowls c 1950
Earthenware
(a)4.5 x 15.9 cm, (b) 4.6 x 15.2 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Don McRae, 1992
D26. a-b-1992
Yvonne Boyd (1920–2013) (potter and decorator)
Coffee cup with flower motif and saucer 1945-49
Ceramic
Dimensions variable
Bundanon Trust Collection
Coffee cup with flower motif and saucer 1945-49
Ceramic
Dimensions variable
Bundanon Trust Collection
Coffee cup with flower motif and saucer 1945-49
Ceramic
Dimensions variable
Bundanon Trust Collection
Bowl with rooster 1945-49
Ceramic
14 cm diameter
Bundanon Trust Collection
Bowl with rooster 1945-49
Ceramic
14 cm diameter
Bundanon Trust Collection
Arthur Boyd (1920–1999)
Portrait of Yvonne Boyd 1945
Oil on canvas
86 x 74.5 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Double portrait of Polly Boyd and Tessa Perceval 1965
Oil on canvas
79.5 x 59 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Mary Boyd (1926–2016)
Beaker c 1944
Earthenware
4.6 x 5.8 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of John Perceval, 1987
D37-1987
Hands 1942
Oil on composition board
76.8 x 59.5 cm
Heide Museum of Modern art, Melbourne
Bequest of John and Sunday Reed 1982
Chinese restaurant in Chinatown Melbourne 1942
Oil on fine muslin on board
32 x 28 cm
Collection Perceval Family
Untitled 1943
Oil on fine muslin on board
32 x 28 cm
Collection Perceval Family
Launching Place, Victoria 1945
Oil on fine muslin on board
31 x 26 cm
Collection Perceval Family
Mary Perceval (née Boyd) (1926–2016)
Alice, Tessa, Celia, Matthew in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
c 1964
Exhibition print
Courtesy of Alice Perceval
John Perceval in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France c 1963-65
Exhibition print
Courtesy of Alice Perceval
Lucy Boyd Beck (1916–2009)
Orpheus and Eurydice 1972–79
Ceramic painting
63.5 x 81.4 cm
Bundanon Trust Collection
Mother and Child not dated
Earthenware tile
36 x 25 cm
Private Collection
Untitled (two figures) not dated
Earthenware tile
Private Collection
Untitled 1970
Pastel on paper
56 x 49 cm
Private Collection
Woman and cats 1990
Ceramic tile
31 x 40 cm
Private Collection
Untitled not dated
Ceramic tile
35.7 x 40.5 cm
Private Collection
Vase not dated
Glazed earthenware
7.7 x 7.5 cm
Presented, 1978
Shepparton Art Museum
St. Francis and Bird 1970
Ceramic tile
42 x 39 cm
Private Collection
Untitled undated
Ceramic tile
35.7 x 40.5 cm
Private Collection
Untitled 1961-63
Oil on board
38 x 48 cm
Private Collection
Mother and Child 1971
Pencil and charcoal on paper
30 x 20 cm
Private Collection
Untitled not dated
Ceramic tile
35.7 x 40.5 cm
Private Collection
Untitled (Pony and Bluebird) 1975
Ceramic
26 cm diameter
Private Collection
Plate, Faces and Flower date unknown
Ceramic
28 cm diameter
Bundanon Trust Collection
Hatton Beck (potter) (1901–1994) and Lucy Boyd Beck (decorator) (1916–2009)
Casserole dish 1961–63
Ceramic
22 x 30 x 20 cm
Private Collection
Casserole dish 1961–63
Ceramic
15 x 15 x 12 cm
Private Collection
Vase c 1965
Glazed earthenware
13.8 x 10.5 cm
Purchased 1979
Shepparton Art Museum
Apollo and Daphne (c.1972)
Earthenware
44.7 x 39.7 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by Manyung Gallery, 1977
D3-1977
Jug (1964)
Stoneware
18.9 x 17.7 x 14.2 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Margot Beck, 1986
D107-1986
Decanter and cups c 1955
Ceramic
Dimensions variable
Private Collection
House amongst trees 1935
Earthenware, 9.5 x 10 cm
Private Collection
Merric Boyd (potter) (1888–1959) and Lucy Boyd Beck (decorator) (1916–2009)
House amongst trees 1935
Earthenware, 9.5 x 10 cm
Private Collection
Hermia Boyd (1931–2000)
Plant Holder c. 1955
Earthenware
51.1 x 38.5 x 26.8 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1957
1722.a-b-D4
Coffee pot 1959
Stoneware
36.4 x 30.0 x 16.7 cm(overall)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Kenneth Hood Bequest Fund, 2012
2012.23.a-b
Plate with two birds 1950
Ceramic
18.5 cm diameter
Bundanon Trust Collection
Narcissus (c.1970)
Lithograph, ed: 27/50
51.0 x 69.0 cm irreg. (image)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the Art Foundation of Victoria from the Bequest of Violet Dulieu, Founder Benefactor, 1997
2003.207
Three sisters and house on hill 1955
Watercolour and pastel on paper
43.5 x 57.0 cm
Private Collection
David Boyd (1924–2011) and Hermia Boyd (1931–2000)
Bowl c 1950s
Stoneware
Dimensions variable
Glen Eira City Council Art Collection
Horse Figure 1966
Ceramic
25 cm (height)
Bundanon Trust Collection
Bottle 1956
Earthenware
45 x 11 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased 1957
1693-04
Coffee pot (late 1950s – 60s)
Stoneware
27 x 23.7 x 23.3 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Bequest of Collette Reddin, 2003
2003.66 a-b
Tureen (late 1950s)
Stoneware
16.2 x 22.3 x 16.2 cm (overall)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Bequest of Collette Reddin, 2003
2003.65 a-b
Bowl 1961
Stoneware
9.9 x 22.1 x 21.4 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1986
D7-1986
Coffee Service 1955
Earthenware
Dimensions variable
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Kenneth Hood Bequest Fund, 2014
261 a-p
Gerty Anschel
Selected footage from home movies c.1954–1957
Colour, silent, DVD
© Philippe Mora and the Anschel Family
Courtesy: National Film & Sound Archive of Australia
Guy Martin à Beckett Boyd
(Born Melbourne, Australia 1923–1988)
Selected footage of home movie by artist Guy Boyd featuring the extended Boyd family. c 1950–1956
B & W/Colour, Silent, DVD.
© Estate of Guy and Phyllis Boyd
Courtesy: National Film & Sound Archive of Australia
