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{{Short description|Australian artist (1892–1971)}}
{{Infobox artist
{{Infobox artist
| name = Esther Paterson
| name = Esther Paterson
| birth_date = 1892
| birth_date = 1892
| birth_place = Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| birth_place = [[Carlton, Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| death_date = 1971
| death_date = 1971
| education = [[National Gallery of Victoria Art School|National Gallery Art School]]
| education = [[National Gallery of Victoria Art School|National Gallery Art School]]
| field = [[Book illustration]]
| field = [[Book illustration]], [[Portraiture]], [[Cartoon]]
| nationality = Australian
| nationality = Australian
| image = May and Mina Moore - Esther Paterson.jpg
| image = May and Mina Moore - Esther Paterson.jpg
| spouse = [[George Hermon Gill]]
}}
}}


Line 15: Line 17:


==Early years==
==Early years==
Paterson was born in [[Carlton, Victoria]],<ref>Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922</ref> the second child born to Scottish emigrants Hugh and Elizabeth Leslie (''née'' Deans) Paterson. She began her education at Oberwly School, [[St Kilda, Victoria|St. Kilda]]. At age thirteen, Paterson studied painting at the National Gallery of Victoria School from 1907 to 1912.<ref name="adb">{{cite web|last=Frame|first=Tom|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paterson-esther-10701|title=Biography|website=Adb.anu.edu.au|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pikitiapress.com/blog/2015/1/10/aussie-girls-esther-paterson-1892-1971|title=Aussie Girls: Esther Paterson (1892-1971)|website=Pikitiapress.com|date=8 January 2015|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref>
Paterson was born in [[Carlton, Victoria]],<ref>Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922</ref> the second child born to Scottish emigrants Hugh and Elizabeth Leslie (''née'' Deans) Paterson. She was the niece of eminent landscape painter [[John Ford Paterson]].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|last=Rankin|first=Gwenyth|date=2005|title=A forgotten talent: [The rich legacy of artist Esther Paterson.]|url=https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=200600129;res=IELAPA|journal=National Library of Australia News|language=EN|volume=16|issue=3|pages=7}}</ref> Paterson grew up around artists, actors, and other creatives, and lived next door to Annie and [[Frederick McCubbin]].<ref name=":0" /> She began her education at Oberwly School, [[St Kilda, Victoria|St. Kilda]]. At age thirteen, Paterson studied painting at the [[National Gallery of Victoria Art School|National Gallery of Victoria School]] from 1907 to 1912.<ref name="adb">{{cite book|last=Frame|first=Tom|chapter-url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paterson-esther-10701|title=Biography|chapter=Esther Paterson (1892–1971) |website=Adb.anu.edu.au|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pikitiapress.com/blog/2015/1/10/aussie-girls-esther-paterson-1892-1971|title=Aussie Girls: Esther Paterson (1892-1971)|website=Pikitiapress.com|date=8 January 2015|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
[[File:1926 Archibald McInnes Paterson.jpg|left|thumb|''[https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/853/ Silk and lace],'' 1926, [[William Beckwith McInnes]]]]
Paterson engaged in mainly commercial art to pay her bills. In addition her art included book illustration and cartooning. Her first book of sketches "Aussie Girls" was published in 1918 by Melbourne Publishing Company.<ref name="adb"/>
Paterson was publishing her illustrations while still at school with work featured in ''The Woman'' in 1908 and cartoons appearing in the Sydney ''[[The Bulletin (Australian periodical)|Bulletin]]'' throughout 1912.<ref name=":0" /> This led to regular appearances in Melbourne ''[[Melbourne Punch|Punch]],'' the ''[[Argus Newspapers|Argus]]'', and other papers and journals.<ref name=":0" /> Her work saw her labelled by the ''[[The Sun (Sydney)|Sun]]'' as "Melbourne's Poster Girl."<ref>{{cite news|date=1912-07-19|title=IN SOCIETY and OUT OF IT|pages=6|work=Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228814169|access-date=2020-09-02}}</ref>

Her first book of sketches "Aussie Girls" was published in 1918 by Melbourne Publishing Company.<ref name="adb" /> It conveyed her ability to analyse the customs and values inherent in Melbourne society at the time.<ref name=":0" /> This was followed by her second book "'Me': a page from my diary" in 1919. <ref name=":0" /> Her talent in both illustration and poignant writings led to collaboration with writers [[Ethel Turner]] and [[Mary Grant Bruce]], and acknowledgement from editors and publishers.<ref name=":0" />

Paterson had bylines as a freelance journalist with pictorial essays in publications such as ''[[Table Talk (magazine)|Table Talk]]'', ''Home'', and the ''[[Weekly Times]]''.

Paterson nurtured the artistic talent of her younger sister [[Betty Paterson]], who had trained as a musician at the Marshall Hall Conservatorium.<ref name=":0" /> Betty's drawings of babies and young children led to her also becoming a cartoonist for ''[[Melbourne Punch|Punch]]'', and the sisters even exhibited their works together.<ref name=":0" /> An exhibition of pictures by Esther and Betty was opened in 1922 at the Queen's Hall by then Prime Minister of Australia [[Billy Hughes]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news|date=1922-07-01|title=FACULTY OF EXECUTION|pages=7|work=Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243650693|access-date=2020-09-02}}</ref> While the pictures were described as a "sometimes frivolous quality of humour", Esther was commended for her portraits of "Inez" and "The Purser."<ref name=":1" /> They were also active in helping charities during the [[World War II|Second World War]], selling their pencil sketches at a fete in aid of Women Artists' National Service, held at [[Ola Cohn]]'s East Melbourne studio.<ref>{{cite news|date=1940-12-07|title=THE WORLD OF WOMEN|pages=11|work=Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11309939|access-date=2020-09-02}}</ref>

Her work as a published illustrator was to become more prolific upon her marriage to [[G. Hermon Gill|George Hermon Gill]]. Gill worked as a staff writer for the Melbourne ''Star,'' the ''Argus'', and the ''Herald'', with Esther illustrating many of his articles.<ref name=":0" />

Her portraits of soldiers both uniformed and civilian is shown at the [[Australian War Memorial]] Canberra. The [[National Gallery of Victoria]] and [[Geelong Art Gallery]] also hold some of her work.<ref name="adb" /> Paterson posed in her wedding dress for the 1926 [[Archibald Prize]] winning painting ''Silk and lace'' by [[William Beckwith McInnes]], acquired by the [[Art Gallery of New South Wales]]<ref name=":0" />

Paterson was the longest serving female office bearer in the [[Victorian Artists Society|Victorian Artists' Society]], and a significant presence within the [[Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors]].<ref name=":0" /> ''The Bulletin'' reviewing her 1931 exhibition at the Fine Art Galleries describes a "room devoted to Bulletin artist Esther Paterson...brightened by ''Battersea Park'' - here she has caught with considerable vividness a quick impression of sunlit grass with figures moving about on it. ''Afternoon, Essex,'' has something of the same evanescent quality."''<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |date=18 November 1931 |title=Sundry Shows |journal=The Bulletin |volume=52 |number=2701 |pages=18}}</ref>'' She showed her portraits at the 40th annual exhibition of the Society in 1949 at [[Tye's Gallery]], Bourke Street.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|date=1949-10-18|title=ARTIST GIVES DELIGHT WITH WATER-COLOURS|pages=8|work=Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22786090|access-date=2020-09-02}}</ref> Fellow artists exhibited included [[Florence Aline Rodway|Florence Rodway]], Ludmilla Meilerts, Violet McInnes, and [[Mabel Pye]].<ref name=":2" />

In 1950 Paterson was awarded the honour of [[Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts]], London (FRSA), showing her reach went beyond Australia to be known in England.<ref>{{cite news|date=1950-01-16|title=MELBOURNE ARTIST NOW FRSA|pages=8|work=Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22804744|access-date=2020-09-05}}</ref>

== Exhibitions ==
*1931, 3 November - 17 December: Group show with [[John Shirlow]], [[Allan Jordan]] and [[Charles Nuttall]]. Fine Art Galleries, Melbourne<ref name=":3">{{cite news |date=3 November 1931 |title=Australian Artists : Work at the Fine Art Galleries |pages=5 |work=The Age}}</ref>''<ref name=":4" />''
*1949, October: 40th annual exhibition of the Victorian Artists Society, Tye's Gallery, Bourke Street.<ref name=":2" />

== Selected works ==


Her portraits of soldiers both uniformed and civilian is shown at the [[Australian War Memorial]] Canberra. The [[National Gallery of Victoria]] and [[Geelong Art Gallery]] also hold some of her work.<ref name="adb"/>


{{Gallery
{{Gallery
Line 40: Line 62:
|'The manly girl'
|'The manly girl'
|File:Esther Paterson - Aussie girls - A bird of paradise.jpg
|File:Esther Paterson - Aussie girls - A bird of paradise.jpg
|alt4=Artwork 'A bird of paradise' from an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
|alt5=Artwork 'A bird of paradise' from an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
|'A bird of paradise'
|'A bird of paradise'
}}
}}

== Publications ==

* '[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132754953 Beauty in the making]', ''Weekly Times Annual,'' 4 November 1916
* '[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article Many beaux to her string]', ''Weekly Times Annual,'' 2 November 1918
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222565852 'Past and present'], ''[[Weekly Times]],'' 27 December 1919
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243783156 'The little Volga boy'], ''[[The Herald (Melbourne)|Herald]],'' 7 October 1922
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/157064088 'How things do change'], ''Midlands Advertiser,'' 4 January 1929
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146453199 'Companions in arms'] (by J. A. Hetherington and D. H. Symmons), ''[[Table Talk (magazine)|Table Talk]],'' 10 July 1930
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243219077 'The little voyagers'] (with Betty Paterson), ''[[The Herald (Melbourne)|Herald]],'' 23 December 1933
* 'Barnacle Bill' series, ''[[The Australasian|Australasian]],'' [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142066214 9 July]; [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142069975 15 October]; [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142070155 22 October]; [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142072299 17 December], 1938
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11282645 '...Nor any drop to drink'], ''[[Argus Newspapers|Argus]],'' 17 February 1940
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11346798 'The kiddies have a wonderful time in this kindergarten'] (illustrated by Betty Paterson), ''Argus,'' 29 May 1943

'''With Hermon Gill'''

* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141808750 'The Browns of Bangaroo'], ''[[Australasian Post|Australasian]],'' 28 August, 1937
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141809803 'This pets business'], ''[[Australasian Post|Australasian]],'' 25 September 1937
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141810156 'The show's grim moments'], ''[[Australasian Post|Australasian]]'', 2 October 1937
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141810390 'Brent's last case'], ''[[Australasian Post|Australasian]],'' 9 October 1937
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141812708 'Bone studs and backbones'], ''[[Australasian Post|Australasian]],'' 18 December 1937
* [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/144367254 'It must be done - and yet -'], ''[[Australasian Post|Australasian]],'' 29 January 1938
'''With Ethel Turner'''

* Nicola Silver (serial), ''[[Australian Woman's Mirror]]''
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-395634804/view?sectionId=nla.obj-584428659&partId=nla.obj-396801539#page/n5/mode/1up 9 December 1924]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-395000575/view?sectionId=nla.obj-399525597&partId=nla.obj-395007753#page/n7/mode/1up 16 December 1924]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-395000746/view?sectionId=nla.obj-413991803&partId=nla.obj-395061311#page/n7/mode/1up 23 December 1924]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-395103852/view?sectionId=nla.obj-414092768&partId=nla.obj-395114957#page/n7/mode/1up 30 December 1924]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-395104047/view?sectionId=nla.obj-413502525&partId=nla.obj-395124992#page/n7/mode/1up 6 January 1925]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-394931788/view?sectionId=nla.obj-489112086&partId=nla.obj-394952163#page/n7/mode/1up 13 January 1925]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-394932670/view?sectionId=nla.obj-412129548&partId=nla.obj-394953659#page/n7/mode/1up 20 January 1925]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-394937539/view?sectionId=nla.obj-412153796&partId=nla.obj-394956687#page/n7/mode/1up 27 January 1925]
** [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-394951305/view?sectionId=nla.obj-412188374&partId=nla.obj-394979740#page/n5/mode/1up 3 February 1925]


==Death and legacy==
==Death and legacy==
Line 48: Line 104:


==References==
==References==

{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
{{authority control}}
* {{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Gae |title=Wielding the brush : Esther Paterson : a lifetime in Australian art |date=2016 |publisher=Allambie Press |location=Coogee, New South Wales |isbn=9780646955018}}

== External links ==

* [http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER171717 Captain Cook's cottage] by [[G. Hermon Gill|Hermon Gill]] with drawings by Esther Paterson, ''[[State Library Victoria]]''
* [http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER543514 Aussie girls] by Esther Paterson, ''[[State Library Victoria]]''
* [http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1512037 "Me" : a page from my diary] by Esther Paterson, ''[[State Library Victoria]]''
* [http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1281991 Wartime stew, slightly sweetened] by Leila Pirani with drawings by Esther Paterson, ''[[State Library Victoria]]''

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Paterson, Esther}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paterson, Esther}}
[[Category:1892 births]]
[[Category:1892 births]]
[[Category:1971 deaths]]
[[Category:1971 deaths]]
[[Category:Australian women artists]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:Artists from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Artists from Melbourne]]
[[Category:19th-century Australian women]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian women artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian women]]
[[Category:Australian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:People from Carlton, Victoria]]
[[Category:National Gallery of Victoria Art School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 16:27, 22 January 2024

Esther Paterson
Born1892
Died1971
NationalityAustralian
EducationNational Gallery Art School
Known forBook illustration, Portraiture, Cartoon
SpouseGeorge Hermon Gill

Esther Paterson Gill (5 February 1892  – 8 August 1971) was an Australian artist, book-illustrator and cartoonist.

Early years

[edit]

Paterson was born in Carlton, Victoria,[1] the second child born to Scottish emigrants Hugh and Elizabeth Leslie (née Deans) Paterson. She was the niece of eminent landscape painter John Ford Paterson.[2] Paterson grew up around artists, actors, and other creatives, and lived next door to Annie and Frederick McCubbin.[2] She began her education at Oberwly School, St. Kilda. At age thirteen, Paterson studied painting at the National Gallery of Victoria School from 1907 to 1912.[3][4]

Career

[edit]
Silk and lace, 1926, William Beckwith McInnes

Paterson was publishing her illustrations while still at school with work featured in The Woman in 1908 and cartoons appearing in the Sydney Bulletin throughout 1912.[2] This led to regular appearances in Melbourne Punch, the Argus, and other papers and journals.[2] Her work saw her labelled by the Sun as "Melbourne's Poster Girl."[5]

Her first book of sketches "Aussie Girls" was published in 1918 by Melbourne Publishing Company.[3] It conveyed her ability to analyse the customs and values inherent in Melbourne society at the time.[2] This was followed by her second book "'Me': a page from my diary" in 1919. [2] Her talent in both illustration and poignant writings led to collaboration with writers Ethel Turner and Mary Grant Bruce, and acknowledgement from editors and publishers.[2]

Paterson had bylines as a freelance journalist with pictorial essays in publications such as Table Talk, Home, and the Weekly Times.

Paterson nurtured the artistic talent of her younger sister Betty Paterson, who had trained as a musician at the Marshall Hall Conservatorium.[2] Betty's drawings of babies and young children led to her also becoming a cartoonist for Punch, and the sisters even exhibited their works together.[2] An exhibition of pictures by Esther and Betty was opened in 1922 at the Queen's Hall by then Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes.[6] While the pictures were described as a "sometimes frivolous quality of humour", Esther was commended for her portraits of "Inez" and "The Purser."[6] They were also active in helping charities during the Second World War, selling their pencil sketches at a fete in aid of Women Artists' National Service, held at Ola Cohn's East Melbourne studio.[7]

Her work as a published illustrator was to become more prolific upon her marriage to George Hermon Gill. Gill worked as a staff writer for the Melbourne Star, the Argus, and the Herald, with Esther illustrating many of his articles.[2]

Her portraits of soldiers both uniformed and civilian is shown at the Australian War Memorial Canberra. The National Gallery of Victoria and Geelong Art Gallery also hold some of her work.[3] Paterson posed in her wedding dress for the 1926 Archibald Prize winning painting Silk and lace by William Beckwith McInnes, acquired by the Art Gallery of New South Wales[2]

Paterson was the longest serving female office bearer in the Victorian Artists' Society, and a significant presence within the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors.[2] The Bulletin reviewing her 1931 exhibition at the Fine Art Galleries describes a "room devoted to Bulletin artist Esther Paterson...brightened by Battersea Park - here she has caught with considerable vividness a quick impression of sunlit grass with figures moving about on it. Afternoon, Essex, has something of the same evanescent quality."[8] She showed her portraits at the 40th annual exhibition of the Society in 1949 at Tye's Gallery, Bourke Street.[9] Fellow artists exhibited included Florence Rodway, Ludmilla Meilerts, Violet McInnes, and Mabel Pye.[9]

In 1950 Paterson was awarded the honour of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London (FRSA), showing her reach went beyond Australia to be known in England.[10]

Exhibitions

[edit]

Selected works

[edit]

Publications

[edit]

With Hermon Gill

With Ethel Turner

Death and legacy

[edit]

On 8 August 1971, Esther Paterson died at Middle Park and was cremated with Anglican rites. Her husband, George Hermon Gill, died two years later.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rankin, Gwenyth (2005). "A forgotten talent: [The rich legacy of artist Esther Paterson.]". National Library of Australia News. 16 (3): 7.
  3. ^ a b c d Frame, Tom. "Esther Paterson (1892–1971)". Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 7 July 2017. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Aussie Girls: Esther Paterson (1892-1971)". Pikitiapress.com. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  5. ^ "IN SOCIETY and OUT OF IT". Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954). 19 July 1912. p. 6. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b "FACULTY OF EXECUTION". Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954). 1 July 1922. p. 7. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  7. ^ "THE WORLD OF WOMEN". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 7 December 1940. p. 11. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Sundry Shows". The Bulletin. 52 (2701): 18. 18 November 1931.
  9. ^ a b c "ARTIST GIVES DELIGHT WITH WATER-COLOURS". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 18 October 1949. p. 8. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  10. ^ "MELBOURNE ARTIST NOW FRSA". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 16 January 1950. p. 8. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Australian Artists : Work at the Fine Art Galleries". The Age. 3 November 1931. p. 5.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Anderson, Gae (2016). Wielding the brush : Esther Paterson : a lifetime in Australian art. Coogee, New South Wales: Allambie Press. ISBN 9780646955018.
[edit]