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was born at Glasgow,
Scotland, on 25 May 1877. He came to Australia with his parents when one
year old. His father, John Ramsay, was a sworn valuer, his mother's name
was originally Margaret Thomson. Hugh Ramsay was educated at the Essendon
Grammar School, and at the age of 16 joined the classes at the national
gallery, Melbourne, under L. Bernard Hall (q.v.) and became one of the
most brilliant students ever trained there. He won several first prizes,
and at the competition for the travelling scholarship held in 1899 was
narrowly beaten by Max Meldrum, another student of unusual ability. In
September 1900 he went to Europe and was fortunate in finding a kindred
spirit, George Lambert (q.v.), on the same vessel. Arrived at Paris he
entered at Colarossi's school and was soon recognized as a student of
great promise. He sent five pictures to the 1902 exhibition of La Société
Nationale des Beaux Arts and the four accepted were hung together. No
greater compliment could have been paid to a young student. Another
Australian student whose studio was in the same building, Ambrose
Patterson, was a nephew of Madame Melba (q.v.), then at the height of her
fame. Ramsay was introduced to Melba, who gave him a commission for a
portrait and would no doubt have been able to help him in his career.
Unfortunately Ramsay fell ill in Paris, and it became necessary for him to
return to the warmer climate of Australia. Before leaving Europe he had
exhibited four pictures at the British Colonial Art Exhibition held in
London at the Royal Institute galleries.
Back in Australia, in spite
of failing health, Ramsay succeeded in doing some remarkable work
including "The Sisters" now in the Sydney gallery, the "Lady with a Fan",
the portrait of David Mitchell, and his own portrait now in the Melbourne
gallery. He gradually became weaker and died on 5 March 1906 a few weeks
before completing his twenty-ninth year. A brother, Sir John Ramsay, born
in 1872, became a well-known surgeon at Launceston, Tasmania, and was
knighted in 1939.
Ramsay's death was a great
loss to Australian art. The student who painted the "Study of Girl-half
nude" at 18 and "The Toper" at 19 might have become one of the great
masters of his time. How far he travelled may be seen in the examples of
his work in the Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide galleries. He was of the
school of Whistler among the moderns, of Velasquez among the old masters,
but owed them no more than any serious student should. When in 1918 his
works were gathered together for an exhibition only 54 pictures could be
found and many of them were studies. A similar collection was shown at the
national gallery, Melbourne, in March 1943, and at its conclusion seven
pictures were presented to the gallery by his relatives. A Hugh Ramsay
prize in the painting school was founded by his father in 1906.
There are no stories about
Ramsay, his health demanded a retired life and the saving of what strength
he had for his art. He was tall and slender and fond of music. The light
of his genius shone on his period quietly and steadily, only to be too
quickly quenched. |
