Like so many Australian women artists of her era, Hilda Rix Nicholas (1884-1961) has been rediscovered by contemporary art historians. For the first time, In Search of Beauty showcases her two sketchbooks held by the National Library of Australia. The child of a creative Melbourne household, Hilda was always with pencil in hand, persuading obliging cousins and neighbours to pose for her. Travelling to Europe in 1907, she trained at some of the finest studios in London and Paris. The experience would not only help the young student to develop her artistic skills but would also nurture a lifetime love of capturing the essence of Australia on canvas. Studies from her early years in Melbourne and in Europe provide glimpses into Hilda's coming of age. In Search of Beauty features page after page of glorious, full-colour works of art, introduced by a thoughtful biography of the artist.