54

JOHN WILLIAM LINDT (1845-1926)
Aboriginal with Spear and Boomerangs
albumen print
embossed lower right: J W Lindt Grafton Artist Photographer
18 x 13.5cm

ESSAY
John William Lindt (1845-1926)

Born in Frankfurt-on-Main, Germany, John William Lindt, son of a customs officer, received a thorough education with a promising and illustrious future ahead of him. His appetite for adventure drifted away from a traditional scholarly course. At seventeen, he ran away from home on board a Danish vessel en route to Australia. The voyage passed through the islands of New Guinea. Witnessing the native habitants of the islands was a formative experience for the young photographer, igniting a lifetime interest in anthropology. Lindt jumped ship at the Brisbane port and ventured into the outback, where he made a decent living in tuning and repairing pianos for Queensland homesteads.

Restless and eager to explore, Lindt travelled further south, landing in Grafton, New South Wales. He took an assistant role under the local photographer Wagner where he eventually bought the studio outright in 1968. Lindt made the acquaintance of the Italian naturalist and explorer Signor D'Albertis, who happened to be convalescing in the area around 1873. This friendship reinforced the photographer's anthropological aptitude. The photographs produced during this time are some of the most captivating images of the artist's oeuvre.

The locality allowed Lindt to observe the customs and traditions of the Indigenous people from the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl nations, one of the few accessible and relatively unaltered communities in the region. The portraits made here of the traditional owners were engineered with Lindt's Germanic thoughtfulness for aesthetic composition while simultaneously attempting to document cultural artefacts particular to each sitter. He staged the portraits in the studio, influenced by the nature of the Wet Collodion process. This laboursome process required the glass plates to be exposed and developed before the surface dried and was not readily portable.

Lindt's photographs captured the volatile landscape and culture of colonial Australia, carrying an immeasurable value in the documentation of this period. His works are universally esteemed and enrich museum and gallery collections worldwide.


  • Condition: A couple of white spots to the raised leg and possibly the rock also. Likely part of the printing process.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We recommend using a professional service as we cannot take any responsibility for loss, damage or breakage that may occur if we pack the items. Please see below for a list of carriers.*:

SMALL TO MEDIUM ITEMS
Art & Auction Services
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
0405 306 534

Pack & Send Cheltenham
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 9585 7543

Pack & Send Hawthorn
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 9813 4255

Pack & Send St Kilda Road
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 9521 5633

Pack & Send South Melbourne
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 9682 2888

Grace Fine Art
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
1300 766 233

Bespoke Moves
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
0417 119 040

International Art Services
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 9329 6262

FURNITURE
Legacy Removals
Metro
[email protected]
0422 670 008

Doug's Mini Movers
Metro
[email protected]
0419 508 559

Way2Move
Metro
[email protected]
0422 792 907

Michael Taylor
Metro, Central VIC
[email protected]
0439 036 494

Rodwell Transport
Local, Canberra, Sydney
[email protected]
0433 634 314

Australis Removals
VIC, SA
[email protected]
0400 718 602

The Blue Mexican
VIC, NSW, ACT
[email protected]
0414 463 963

Mullumbimby Removals
VIC, NSW, QLD
[email protected]
(02) 6684 2198

Elite Auswide Transport
Local, all states
[email protected]
0458 773 780

Need a Courier
Local, all states
[email protected]
0413 320 759

Bespoke Moves
Local, all states
[email protected]
0417 119 040

Grace Fine Art
Local, all states
[email protected]
1300 766 233

Bespoke Moves
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
0417 119 040

Pack & Send
Local, all states, international
as above

ARTWORK
Legacy Removals
Local
[email protected]
0422 670 008

Artists' Courier Service
Local
[email protected]
0408 343 710

Artwork Transport
Local, all states
[email protected]
(03) 9329 7580

Segue Art
Local, all states
[email protected]
0416 224 107

Transart
Local, all states
[email protected]
0417 103 494

Bespoke Moves
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
0417 119 040

Grace Fine Art
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
1300 766 233

International Art Services
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 9329 6262

Art & Auction Services
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
0405 306 534

Pack & Send
Local, all states, international
as above

JEWELLERY
Elliott Hughes Art & Auction Services
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
0405 306 534

Brink's Secure Logistics (high value)
Local, all states, international
[email protected]
(03) 8336 6999

Pack & Send
Local, all states, international
as above



*Gibson's takes no responsibility whatsoever for the actions of any recommended third party.

August 28, 2022 12:00 PM AEST
Armadale, Australia

Gibson's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
A$0 A$499 A$20
A$500 A$999 A$50
A$1,000 A$1,999 A$100
A$2,000 A$4,999 A$200
A$5,000 A$9,999 A$500
A$10,000 A$19,999 A$1,000
A$20,000 A$49,999 A$2,000
A$50,000 A$99,999 A$5,000
A$100,000 A$199,999 A$10,000
A$200,000 A$499,999 A$20,000
A$500,000 A$999,999 A$50,000
A$1,000,000 A$1,999,999 A$100,000
A$2,000,000 + A$200,000