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Esther Paterson

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Esther Paterson
Born1892
Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Died1971
NationalityAustralian
EducationNational Gallery Art School
Known forBook illustration

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

Early years

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

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, 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]

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]

Selected works

Aussie girls by Esther Paterson
  • The front cover of an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
    Front cover of Aussie girls
  • Artwork 'In arms again' from an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
    'In arms again'
  • Artwork 'Naval reserve' from an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
    'Naval reserve'
  • Artwork 'The manly girl' from an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
    'The manly girl'
  • Artwork 'A bird of paradise' from an illustrated book of humorous World War I artwork by Esther Paterson
    'A bird of paradise'
Images courtesy of State Library Victoria

Publications

With Hermon Gill

Death and legacy

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

  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. "Biography". Adb.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  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.
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