Will Longstaff - The Rearguard (The spirit of ANZAC)
26th June 2010
In 1928, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle purchased 'The Rearguard (The spirit of ANZAC)' from Will Longstaff for his art collection. The Rearguard was reported to have been painted under psychic influence: "Mr. Longstaff says that he felt an uncanny 'urge' to paint the picture, which formed itself with lightning tapidity in his brain. He began at 7 o'clock in the morning, working unceasingly in the dim light. He had experienced a sensation not felt in any other work, and he was surprised and delighted."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said 'It is one of the most remarkable pictures I have seen. The artist worked for 11 hours with the fury of inspiration. Genius has always been on the edge of psychic influence.'" (The Argus, 8 May 1928)
On 25th June 2010 The Rearguard was sold at aution in Sydney for AUD $72,000.
We received a telephone call from Mrs Diana Brooks, the daughter of Will Longstaff, informing us of the sale and as always The BBJ Collection Ltd are most grateful to Mrs Brooks for again providing us with information from her personal archives and recollections.