Julian Rossi Ashton (1851 - 1942)

Julian Rossi Ashton was born in England, and whose father Thomas, was an amateur painter. He late attended the West London School of Art and became an illustrator for magazines and newspapers. He immigrated to Melbourne in 1878 after being offered work with the Illustrated Australian News and continued to work as an illustrator for other publications until 1886 when he took up teaching. He established his own school, the Sydney Art School and from 1935 renamed it the Julian Ashton School.

Ashton lectured and published frequently and was a driving force behind the promotion of Australian art and artists. He favoured the traditional skills of draughtsmanship and he himself was a highly regarded water colourist. He was appointed C.B.E. in 1930, his contribution to the arts scene in Australia over decades was widely recognised, and students of his school included Thea Proctor and Elioth Gruner.

Ashton died on 27 April 1942 at Bondi. His school is still active and has celebrated alumni including William Dobell, John Olsen and Brett Whiteley.