Of Woman, Love and Beauty is a series of figure studies by Australian photographer Gordon DeLisle.
The exhibition introduces a rare series created alongside De’Lisle’s commercial practice. In these works, he explores light, form and classical ideas of beauty through carefully composed photographs.
Many images were made at Clifton Pugh’s Dunmoochin studio near Melbourne. During the mid-twentieth century, Dunmoochin became an important gathering place for artists. De’Lisle returned to this environment repeatedly while developing the series.
He preserved these photographs throughout his life. As a result, the series became the body of work he valued most.
Together, the photographs reveal a distinctive chapter of Gordon De’Lisle photography. They also reflect an important moment in Melbourne’s photographic history.
CREDITS
Artist
Gordon De’Lisle
Exhibition
Of Woman, Love and Beauty,Maud Gallery, 2025
Open to the Public
May 31 – June 8, 2025
By Appointment Only
June 9 – June 14, 2025
Artist Talk
June 14, 2025 — 11 am
Medium
Archival pigment inkjet prints
Enquiries
Pricing and availability on request via Maud Gallery.
During the talk, a family connection between Gordon De’Lisle and the pioneering photographer Julia Margaret Cameronwill be revealed and discussed.
CURATORIAL NOTE
Of Woman, Love and Beauty presents a rare body of photographs by Australian photographer Gordon DeLisle. The series emerged during a remarkable period in Melbourne’s photographic culture.
During these years, many photographers worked in studios along Collins Street. De’Lisle built a successful commercial career within this environment. However, he also pursued a deeply personal photographic project.
In these figure studies he explored the relationship between light, form and the human body. As a result, the images combine classical composition with a quiet sense of intimacy.
Many photographs were produced at Clifton Pugh’s Dunmoochin studio north-east of Melbourne. The site brought together artists, writers and musicians, creating an atmosphere of creative exchange.
Unlike most of his commercial archive, De’Lisle carefully preserved this series. He kept the negatives, contact sheets and prints for decades. Ultimately, he regarded Of Woman, Love and Beauty as his most significant artistic contribution.
Today the photographs offer insight into De’Lisle’s personal vision. At the same time, they reveal the broader photographic culture that flourished in Melbourne during the Collins Street studio era.
