Jo Sweatman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jo Sweatman
Born	Estelle Mary Sweatman 1872 (1872) South Yarra, Victoria
Died	1956 (aged 83–84)
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	National Gallery School
Known for	Painting

Estelle Mary (Jo) Sweatman (1872-1956) was a talented Australian painter. She helped start a famous art group called the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society. Jo Sweatman is known for her beautiful landscape paintings.

Becoming an Artist

A photograph of Jo Sweatman.

Jo Sweatman was born in South Yarra, Victoria, in 1872. From a young age, she showed an interest in art. She took drawing classes at a ladies' college. Her teacher saw her talent and suggested she study at the National Gallery School.

At the National Gallery School, Jo studied for two years. She learned from well-known artists like Frederick McCubbin and Bernard Hall. These teachers helped her develop her painting skills.

Finding Her Style

Jo Sweatman first painted portraits of people. But she soon found that she loved painting nature more. She was drawn to landscapes, which became her main focus. She became especially famous for her paintings of wattle, a native Australian plant.

Jo was part of the Victorian Artists' Society. However, she later left this group. She supported an artist named Max Meldrum, who had different ideas about art. Jo and her friend A.M.E. Bale were among those who left.

Life in Warrandyte

Jo Sweatman built her house, 'The Kipsy', next to another artist, Clara Southern. They lived in a town called Warrandyte, in Victoria. Both artists played a big part in building the art community there.

Jo helped organize annual art shows in Warrandyte. She worked with the Warrandyte Women's Auxiliary Association. She was also the secretary for a committee of local artists.

Founding the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society

Jo Sweatman was a founding member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society. This group was started by students and followers of Max Meldrum. Meldrum taught a style of art called Australian Tonalism. This style focuses on light, shadow, and mood in paintings.

Being a founding member meant Jo helped shape this important art group. The society aimed to promote a certain style of painting. Jo Sweatman's work is held in several important art collections. These include the Hamilton Gallery, Castlemaine Art Museum, and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Archibald Prize Finalist

In 1922, Jo Sweatman was a finalist for the Archibald Prize. This is a very important art award in Australia for portrait painting. Her painting was a portrait of her friend, Miss A.M.E. Bale. In the same year, A.M.E. Bale was also a finalist. Her portrait was of Miss Jo Sweatman.

Jo Sweatman passed away in 1956. Her art continues to be admired today.

Images for kids

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  "Beauties of nature" Cairns Post, 15 May 1929

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  Amalie Colquhoun, Jo Sweatman, and A.M.E. Bale, The Age, 30 September 1939