Balmoral Beach
Artist
Murray Moodie
Date1949
Object number00030427
NamePainting
MediumOil on board, framed
DimensionsOverall: 485 x 615 x 35 mm, 2.36 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThe view of the painting above Balmoral Beach, facing north with the 'Star of the East' amphitheatre clearly visible on the far left side. In the foreground bathers lie on sand shaded by umbrellas, while others swim close to shore.
HistoryLittle is known about the artist although Murray Moodie was a finalist in the Art Gallery of New South Wales Wynne Prize in 1944 and was still active in the 1960s.
This painting is of interest as it depicts the topography of Balmoral in the late 1940s which has since changed considerably. The Star of the East Amphitheatre, built by the Theosophical Society is clearly visible to the left of the scene.
As a modern phenomenon the Theosophical Society was founded in America in I875 by Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891) and Henry Steel Olcott (1832 -1907). It represented an alternative to dogmatic religion, fostering progressive thinking including anti-vivisection, anti-racism, education reform, dietary reform, vegetarianism, socialism and feminism. It was particularly attractive to intellectuals and educated women and to those who had lost faith in traditional religion and who found the scientific alternative unpalatable. The Theosophists believed through the development of appropriate faculties, the individual would experience a reality more true than that commonly experienced. It was a promise that was very seductive.
By the 1920s Sydney was reputedly the largest and richest Theological lodge in the world and the Society in Australia had more signed up members the Communist Party.
The ideals of the Theosophists were in tension with an excessive emphasis, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s on personality cults which led to schisms and scandals such as the episodes relating to Krishnamurti the 'World Teacher' believed by many Theosophists to be a Messiah like figure.
The Star of the East Amphitheatre, now demolished, was built in 1924 for the Order of the East, an International Theosophists organisation for members to witness the Second coming of the Messiah, in the form of Krishnamurti who they expected to walk on water from Sydney Heads to Balmoral to prove their claims that he was the Messiah. It should be noted that Krishnamurti rejected the messianic role that the Theosophists attached to him.
Behind the open air temple with its classic facade was an amphi theatre which seated 2500. Below the amphi theatre were three storeys of offices, a chapel and library with tea rooms at beach level. The amphitheatre was built with donations from members who paid between 10 and 100 pounds for a reserved seat with engraved metal name plates.
Due to financial problems the building was sold in 1931 and the amphi theatre was sold and demolished in 1952. The last owner was the Catholic Church. The site was redeveloped with a block of flats in 1952.
Krishnamurti and his brother Nityan and a first visited Sydney in 1922 to attend a conference. Krishnamurti visited again in 1925 amidst much speculation that he was the Messiah and would walk on water from Sydney Heads to Balmoral. Krishnamurti did not make his anticipated appearance and the Amphi theatre was regarded as a folly. It was reused for lectures, public entertainments and for outside screenings of films. Its position with a commanding view of Sydney Heads prompted contemporary newspapers to describe it as 'the most beautiful open air theatre in the world'.SignificanceThis painting is of interest as it depicts the topography of Balmoral in the late 1940s which has since changed considerably. The Star of the East Amphitheatre, built by the Theosophical Society is clearly visible to the left of the scene.
1900-1915
