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Walter Jardine

Australian, 1884 - 1970

BiographyWalter Jardine is considered by many to have been the most talented Australian commercial artist of the mid 20th century. Jardine began his career at age 17 working as a black and white illustrator for the 'Australian Star' (forerunner of the Sydney 'Sun'). From 1905 to 1917 he operated an advertising company with JB Jones, employing a staff of up to 20 artists and apprentices. In 1908 Jardine visited England, Europe and the United States to study methods of advertising and illustration.

Between 1923 and 1928 Jardine worked in the United States providing pen and ink drawings and colour illustrations for such notable publications as 'Cosmopolitan' and 'Good Housekeeping'. Jardine returned to Australia in 1928 and opened a studio in Sydney, producing works for the poster campaigns of Tooths Brewery, Akubra hats, Arnotts Biscuits, Tooheys, Burns Philp and the Orient Line. His artistic reputation during this period rested almost solely upon his commercial designs. Noted for his fineness of line and perfectionism, Jardine relied on paint brush rather than pencil even when executing the most detailed designs. During the 1950s and 1960s he taught by correspondence for the Art Training Institute, Melbourne and in partnership (1945-59) with W. F. Paterson formed the company Walter Jardine Advertising Service (later Jardine, Paterson & Co).

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