Harold Septimus Power: A Life in Art

Early Life and Education

Born on December 31, 1877, in Dunedin, New Zealand, to Peter Power, an Irish-born hatter, and Jane Amers, his Scottish wife.
The family migrated to Australia when Harold was six years old.
Initially pressured by his father to study veterinary surgery for four years, he pursued his artistic inclinations with the encouragement of Walter Withers.
He began his art studies in Adelaide after leaving home as a teenager.

Early Career and Artistic Development

Exhibited with the Melbourne Art Club in 1899, marking an early step in his artistic journey.
Worked as an illustrator and political cartoonist for Adelaide newspapers – *The Adelaide Observer*, *South Australian Register*, and *The Adelaide Critic*.
In 1904, received a commission from the Art Gallery of South Australia to paint an animal scene.
Married Isabel Laura Butterworth in September 1904.
Between 1905 and 1907, studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, refining his skills and broadening his artistic horizons.

London Years and Artistic Recognition

Settled in London after studying in Paris, becoming a member of both the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Society of Animal Painters.
Exhibited at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts, gaining recognition within the British art scene.
Held his first one-man exhibition at the Guild Hall in Melbourne, Australia, in June 1913, showcasing oils and watercolors featuring rural landscapes used as backdrops for equine scenes and hunting subjects.

World War I and Official War Artist

Appointed as an official war artist by the Australian government in 1917.
Attached to the 1st Division, A.I.F., from September to December 1917, and again in August 1918.
Became renowned for his powerful depictions of animals – particularly horses – on the battlefield, capturing their role and suffering during wartime.

Post-War Career and Legacy

Continued to work with the Australian War Records Section for two decades after the war, documenting and commemorating the conflict.
Painted the ceremonial opening of the Federal parliament in 1927 alongside W. B. McInnes.
Maintained a successful career exhibiting both in Australia and overseas, even during the Depression era.
Married Margery Isabel Desmazures in Adelaide in 1936.
Associated with conservative art movements, including Robert Menzies' Australian Academy of Art.
Continued teaching art at his Melbourne School of Art, influencing a new generation of artists.

Artistic Style and Influences

Power’s style blended elements of Realism and Impressionism, particularly in his landscape backgrounds.
His work is characterized by detailed depictions of animals, especially horses, combined with atmospheric landscapes.
He was influenced by artists like Walter Withers who encouraged him to pursue art.

Historical Significance

Harold Septimus Power’s wartime paintings provide a valuable visual record of the Australian Imperial Force's experiences during World War I.
His depictions of horses on the battlefield offer a poignant perspective on the often-overlooked role of animals in warfare.
He remains an important figure in Australian art history, celebrated for his skill as an animal painter and his contribution to war art.

Harold Septimus Power

1877 - 1951 , New Zealand

Tietoa taiteilijasta

Birth Date: 1877-12-31
Birth Place: Dunedin, New Zealand
Death Date: 1951-01-03
Influenced By: Walter Withers
Movement: Realism, Impressionism
Name: Harold Septimus Power
Nationality: New Zealander, Australian
Notable Works:
- Bringing up the ammunition, Flanders, Autumn 1917
- The battle before Villers Bretonneux, August 8th, 1918

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