George Gordon (scenic artist)
George Gordon (c. 1839 – 12 June 1899) was a scenic designer and artist in Australia, described by one critic as "unquestionably the greatest scene painter that ever came to Australia".[1] His father was in the same line of business and his son John "Jack" Gordon (c. 1874 – 24 November 1911) following the family tradition, was head of J. C. Williamson's scenic department for ten years.
George Gordon[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/George_Gordon_%28scenic_artist%29.png/220px-George_Gordon_%28scenic_artist%29.png)
Gordon was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, around 1840 and learned the craft of scene painting from his father, at the Theatre Royal.[2] His first pieces were for the , where he was to make the acquaintance of George Rignold, a friend of his father's. Acting on Rignold's advice, he accepted an offer of employment in Australia from Arthur Garner.
Gordon is credited, while working for the Bancrofts, with introducing ceilings into stage settings.[3]
Australia[]
He came to Australia with Garner's on the steamer Aconcagua in June 1879,[4] opening with a French comedy Friends at the Princess's Theatre, Melbourne, followed in November at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, and the Theatre Royal, Sydney in March 1880. The tour terminated in Adelaide in May 1881 and Gordon, whose work had been eulogised in practically every review of the company's performances, remained in Australia under contract to Williamson, who had spent a fortune on the latest works from Gilbert and Sullivan.[5] He worked for the "Triumvirate" of Williamson, Garner and Musgrove from 1882 to 1890, but not exclusively — he also took on projects for W. S. Lyster, Samuel Lazar, John F. Sheridan, George Rignold and Robert Brough. He worked in tandem with John Hennings on the sets of The Lights o' London in Sydney in 1882,[6] and Phil Goatcher shared credits with Gordon for Williamson's 1892 production of The Silver King.[7] Another notable production was the brilliant 1895 Christmas pantomime Djin Djin, the Japanese Bogie-man, which departed from the usual fairytale in both theme and production, with scenery from Gordon and his son Jack, Goatcher, and Spong, not to mention the performers, which included the riotously funny Billy Elton, music and libretto, in which the witty Dr Neild had a hand. Critics applauded Williamson for investing so heavily in an unproven venture.[8]
Theatre decoration[]
In 1880 Garner took over the lease of White's Rooms on King William Street, Adelaide, and gave it a total makeover, giving Gordon the responsibility for internal decoration.[9]
In 1886 he designed and decorated the interior of Melbourne’s new Princess Theatre, built for "The Triumvirate" of Williamson, Musgrove and Garner.
Other interests[]
Gordon was an accomplished painter in watercolors; at least one critic thought such pieces constituted his best work.[10]
He has been mentioned as a tutor to Tom Roberts.[11]
Death[]
Late on the evening of 20 May 1899 Gordon took the tram from the Princess Theatre down Nicholson Street to his residence at Grantown House. He alighted, but then tripped and fell heavily and had to be assisted home.[a] His doctor, J. E. Neild, was called for, but he saw no reason to be concerned, and as George had clearly fallen asleep, promised Mrs Gordon he would return the next day to check on his condition. That day came, and Neild saw no cause for concern, but a few days later the condition was clearly deteriorating, with an abnormally fast pulse and elevated temperature. A Collins Street specialist was called, and the patient removed to a small private hospital. Sir Thomas Williams was called for, but he could add nothing to the diagnosis of concussion and possible skull fracture.[13] Gordon gave hopes for a recovery on the 10th, but died on the evening of 12 June. At the inquest Neild revealed that Gordon had on at least one occasion collapsed unconscious in what may have been an epileptic fit.[14]
John Gordon[]
George's son, "Jack" Gordon was born in London, and came to Australia at age seven with his parents. He studied painting at the Melbourne Gallery Art School, and for many years worked with his father.[3] On the death of his father, he was promoted to head Williamson's scenic department.[15] One of his most admired pieces was a backdrop of the Bay of Nagasaka [sic] for the first act of Madame Butterfly, starring Nellie Melba.[3]
He was married, and had a home at 71 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, New South Wales. He died aged 37.[16] He died at home after a brief illness. His remains were interred at the Waverley Cemetery.[17]
Notes[]
References[]
- ^ "Our Greatest Scenic Artist". Clarence and Richmond Examiner. New South Wales, Australia. 24 June 1899. p. 6. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Mr John Brunton". Table Talk. No. 222. Victoria, Australia. 20 September 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 12 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c "Death of Mr John Gordon". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 23, 049. New South Wales, Australia. 27 November 1911. p. 10. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The London Comedy Company". The Adelaide Observer. Vol. XXXVI, no. 1970. South Australia. 5 July 1879. p. 5. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Figaro". The Lorgnette. Vol. XXI, no. 1620. Victoria, Australia. 4 June 1881. p. 2. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Amusements Theatre Royal". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 13, 863. New South Wales, Australia. 4 September 1882. p. 6. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Silver King Scenery". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 14, 402. Victoria, Australia. 23 August 1892. p. 6. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Playgoer". Melbourne Punch. Victoria, Australia. 2 January 1896. p. 6. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Garner's Theatre". South Australian Register. Vol. XLV, no. 10, 453. South Australia. 14 May 1880. p. 5. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "George Gordon". The Australasian. Vol. LXVI, no. 1733. Victoria, Australia. 17 June 1899. p. 37. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Historic Theatres". The Age. No. 25, 967. Victoria, Australia. 9 July 1938. p. 5 ("The Age" Literary Supplement). Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Late Mr George Gordon". South Australian Register. Vol. LXIV, no. 16, 407. South Australia. 14 June 1899. p. 7. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "A Remarkable Accident". The Age. No. 13, 810. Victoria, Australia. 8 June 1899. p. 5. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Late Mr George Gordon". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 16, 517. Victoria, Australia. 14 June 1899. p. 7. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Late Jack Gordon". Sydney Sportsman. Vol. XI, no. 649. New South Wales, Australia. 29 November 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Death of a Scenic Artist". The Sunday Times (Sydney). No. 1349. New South Wales, Australia. 26 November 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Late Jack Gordon". The Sydney Sportsman. Vol. XI, no. 649. New South Wales, Australia. 29 November 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- 1839 births
- 1899 deaths
- English scenic designers
- Australian scenic designers
- Australian watercolourists