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Red Emperor juvenile specimen
Red Emperor juvenile specimen

Red Emperor juvenile specimen

Artist (1915 - 1998)
Date1977 - 1984
Object number00000506
NamePainting
MediumAcrylic on hardboard, framed
DimensionsOverall: 220 x 350 mm
Display Dimensions: 230 x 360 mm
Copyright© Dr Jane Stackpool
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Walter Stackpool
DescriptionPainting depicting a Red emperor juvenile specimen (Lutjanus Seabe). It was painted by Walter Stackpool as a commission for Jack Pollard's books 'Australian Fishes' first published in 1978 and 'The Complete Illustrated Guide to Fish' published in 1991.HistoryWalter Stackpool was originally planning to be an artist prior to joining the army in WW2. He enlisted in 1942 and became a lieutenant in the 2/8 Field Regiment which was primarily formed from men from the eastern states of Australia. During the course of the war his artistic skills were noted by a fellow solider and publisher and on his return to Australia and discharge from the army in 1946, Stackpool became a popular illustrator for what became widely known as "pulp fiction". These included Westerns and detective or crime novels. Stackpool also found a talent for illustrating children’s and history books, with over 100 to his credit. His belief was that illustration "apart from being an art form, was essentially a didactic craft - even when it is ostensibly only to amuse'. He listed the three essentials of illustrating as sound draughtsmanship; accuracy of detail; and good clear technique in rendering, whether in colour or black and white, for good reproduction in the printing". (http://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A51372)SignificanceWalter Stackpool became one of Australia's most prolific illustrators and his images of Australian fish are still widely used as references today.
Southern Fuselier
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Long tailed catfish Eel and Mosaic Eel
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Estuarine Stonefish
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Hapuka
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Coral Trout and Maori Wrasse
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Venus Tusk and Red Rock Cod
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Blue Angel Fish adult specimen
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Pearl Perch
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Chequered Rainbowfish
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Black Bream and Rock Whiting
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984
Flutemouth
Walter Stackpool
1977 - 1984