London: Faber, 1968

4to, pp. 60. Original black boards, lettered in gilt on spine. Illustrated dustwrapper. Two brochures for the Sidney Nolan Trust laid in. Small bookplate of Kenneth Clark to front pastedown, later gift inscription to ffep., chipping to head and closed tear to foot of spine, some marking to rear panel.

First trade edition, INSCRIBED BY SIDNEY NOLAN TO KENNETH CLARK: 'K + Jane, Love from Sidney + Cynthia 1968'. With the bookplate of Kenneth Clark to front pastedown.

Kenneth Clark has long been credited with bringing Australia's foremost artist Sidney Nolan [1917-1992] to worldwide attention. Nolan had produced his famous series of paintings of Ned Kelly in the 1940s, but it was his landscapes that first captivated Clark, who first travelled to Australia in 1949, and who happened to be writing his book Landscape Into Art (1949) during the voyage. Nolan's work chimed perfectly both with Clark's current preoccupations and with his general artistic taste. Clark bought his first Nolan painting during this visit, and would go on to acquire a large collection. Nolan travelled to England in 1950, settling in London the following year, and the two remained lifelong friends until Clark's death in 1983.

Kenneth Clark's wife was christened Elizabeth but renamed herself Jane while up at Oxford, which explains the inscription. 

A wonderful association copy, bearing witness to an important and enduring artistic friendship.