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.