Norman Lindsay Gallery

Hidden away in the serene Blue Mountains, the Norman Lindsay Gallery beckons us. It’s more than just a gallery. It’s a portal to the whimsical world of Norman Lindsay, a man of many talents. The Norman Lindsay Gallery started its life as “Maryville,” a sandstone cottage built for Francis Foy in the late 1890s. Foy, a Sydney department store owner, used the property as a tranquil escape between the city and his brother’s grand hotel in Medlow Bath. In 1912, Norman Lindsay and Rose Soady stumbled upon the then-dilapidated property. Rose saw its potential and purchased it, beginning its transformation into the vibrant hub of creativity we know today. The Norman Lindsay Gallery holds more than just Lindsay’s art. It reflects his life, loves, and passions. The property sprawls across 17 hectares, housing not only the main house but also smaller buildings, including two studios – one for oil painting and another for etching. The grounds themselves are a living artwork, adorned with sculptures born from Lindsay’s imagination. Nymphs, satyrs, and sphinxes frolic among the trees, a testament to his playful spirit and rejection of conventional norms. The Norman Lindsay Gallery’s history is rich with anecdotes. The infamous Magic Pudding, a beloved children’s tale, was penned within these very walls. The 1994 film “Sirens,” inspired by Lindsay’s life and art, was also filmed on location, further solidifying the property’s connection to his creative legacy. The Norman Lindsay Gallery evolved alongside the artist’s life. From the early renovations in 1913, which saw the addition of a tiled verandah and Grecian columns, to the construction of the courtyard in the 1920s, a favorite spot for entertaining, the property became a canvas for Lindsay’s ever-evolving vision. Even the famous dry-stone wall at the front of the Norman Lindsay Gallery, one of the oldest in the Blue Mountains, whispers tales of the property’s rich history. The Norman Lindsay Gallery remains a testament to a unique artistic vision. A place where art, life, and nature intertwine, leaving a lasting impression on all who venture within.