The artist's wife
1915
Medium
oil on canvas on plywood
Measurements
47.0 × 32.9 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Joseph Brown Collection. Presented through the NGV Foundation by Dr Joseph Brown AO OBE, Honorary Life Benefactor, 2004
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
Gallery location
Gallery 20
Level 3, NGV Australia
About this work
Although making a living for most of his life as a stained-glass artist, William Frater actively pursued a career as a painter and was instrumental in increasing the understanding of modern art in Melbourne during the interwar period. He trained at the Glasgow School of Art from 1905 to 1909 and settled permanently in Melbourne in 1913. While taking life classes at the Victorian Artists’ Society, Frater met fellow Scot Max Meldrum, and was initially influenced by his tonal theories, of which this work is a rare and significant example. Frater was outspoken in his beliefs on the conservative nature of Melbourne’s art scene at the time and would speak out publicly against then NGV Director Bernard Hall and the National Gallery School.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Inscription
inscribed in black ballpoint pen on paper label on reverse u.c.: THREE Painted 1915 in Melbourne / w.f. / THE ARTIST'S WIFE / THE ARTIST
inscribed in blue ballpoint pen on reverse u.c.: Frater / 1915
Accession Number
2004.175
Department
Australian Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Interiors
Subjects (specific)
chairs (furniture forms) collars (neckwear) women (female humans)