Reference: From Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 17 June 1924 - MR. G. F. HARRIS'S DEATH.
The death occurred on Saturday at Sydney
Hospital of Mr George F Harris, who during
his short residonce in Sydney, was one of its foremost aitists particularly as a portrait
painter Mr Harris came to Sydney less than
four years ago but during that time received
lucrative commissions his works including the portraits of a number of prominent public
men Among theso are the portraits of the
Premier (Sir George Fuller) presented to
him on his return from England by members
of the Nationalist Club the late Sir Herbert
Maitland, Sir Joynton Smith Sir Owen Cox
Mr V. M Hughes ex Prime Minister, Mr
W H O Malley Wood president of the State
Savings Bank and the Most Wor. Bro. Thompson (ex Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of treemasons of New South Wales). The last namod portrait hangisin a promlnent position in the Masonic Club. Among his well known pictures In Sydney are " Golden Wattle and ‘In the Larder’, which were included in his exhibits at lastjYear’s exhibition of the Royal Art Society. One of Mr Harris’s greatest pictures was that ot the King saluting the grave of an unknown soldier In Flanders. This was hung ¡n the Cardiff City Hall.
Before coming to Australia, Mr. Harris had
already won a place of honour in his profession. His first success was attained at the age of ten years, and during his career he had been a frequeut exhibitor at the Royal Academy and Walker's Art Galleries. Portrait, landscape, and still life came from his easol. Mr. Harris was born at Birmingham, but he subsequently went to London, and anually to Wales, where he lived at Tydfil, in the south. Here he became a prominent figure among artists, winning several prizes at Eistedfods for freehand, geometry, and model drawing. At Merthyr Tydfil Mr. Harris lived for 20 years, and later he moved to Cardiff. He was chairman and secretary of the Art Society of South Wales for many years. Two of his sons having settled in Perth Mr. Harris decided to follow them, and In 1920, with hies wife and seven other members of his family, arrived at Perth. He decided to settle In Sydney. Before leaving Cardiff he was presented with a handsome wallet containing a substantial cheque, and was made a life
member of the Art Society of South Wales.
His daughter, Miss Pixie Harris, is well
known In Sydney as a black and white artist, being a frequent contributor to the
Sydney Hail.
Both in Sydney and In Wales Mr. Harris
took a very keen interest in Masonic affairs.
He was a member of the Provincial Grand
Lodge, South Wales, and was Worshipful
Master of the Cambrian Loop of Freemasons at Merthyr, and was founder of Treforest Lodge, and eventually attained to the high office of the Provincial Senior Warden. On reaching Sydney Mr. Harris became a member of the Lodge Maroubra. Mr. Harris s survived by a widow, four sons -Cromwell, Claude, Marcus, and Olaf - and five daughters - Rosamund, Pixie, Esmo, and Patricia, and Mrs. Ruby Emmett.
The funeral of the deceased took place yes-
terday at Randwick Cemetery. The Rev. W.
Greenwood officiated, and among those present at the graveside were Messrs. Claude, Marcus, and Olaf Harris (sons), Captain B. Emmett (son-in-law), Dr. Bridge, and Messrs. Kenneth R. Olson, Arthur Garratt, Bacon, Goldman, N. Zlons, H Dudley, W. Williamson, A. B. Clarke, and J. Fenton. The Masonic Club was represented by Bro. Brlner (vlce-president), and Bros., M'Donald, W. Nesbitt, and F. M'Donald (directors).
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