Featured Image: “The Stud Groom” by Cedric Emanuel OAM (The original is retained by the author). This was almost certainly drawn by Cedric Emmanuel on one of his many visits to ‘Segenhoe Stud’; then owned by his great friend Lionel Israel. The identity of the ‘model’ is unknown.

In 1920 he spent time in the “militia”. Whilst a youth he became very proficient at drawing objects at short notice. In 1925 he commenced working as a commercial artist at the State Studios and in his spare time continued sketching, painting and etching. His first exhibition held in 1938 was very successful. In the same year he won the prize for etching in the NSW Sesquicentenary Art Competition.

Throughout most of his life he was a regular swimmer and surfer. He was a member of the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. He also boxed, wrestled and played football. He won the 1929 NSW State Amateur Middleweight Wrestling Championship, beating Jack Murray. Jack Murray was later to become famous as ‘Gelignite Jack’ from his antics in the Redex Around Australia motor trials. Cedric Emanuel retired early from serious competitive sport out of concern for his hands.

During the Second World War he served as an officer with the RAAF. A part of his service was in New Guinea where he was an unofficial war artist. His Wing Commander noted that “This officer has given splendid service and is fully capable.”

He spent most of his life working as a freelance artist. His main focus was sketches in watercolour or ink depicting various aspects of Australia. Apart from private collectors, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria have acquired his works. In the 1970s he visited the UK and Europe. On Australia Day 1981 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to art.

Cedric Emanuel was described as a man of energy. He had many friends in the Upper Hunter and was a frequent visitor to friend Lionel Israel’s SEGENHOE STUD. Many of his famous horse sketches were drawn during this period. Cedric Emanuel died aged 88 in Sydney on the 28th February 1995. The day before a major collection of his works, Retrospectives, went on display at the Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst.

“No artist throughout Australia’s history could have drawn and painted as many scenes of yesteryear, and of buildings and locations that are national heritage icons, than Cedric.” said the then Governor of NSW, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair at the opening.