We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Still life of flowers and fruit

Artist

Frances Ellis

Australia, New Zealand

1900 – 1971

  • Details

    Media category
    Watercolour
    Materials used
    watercolour on paper
    Dimensions
    60.9 x 50.6 cm sheet
    Signature & date

    Signed l.r., "FRANCES D. ELLIS.". Not dated.

    Credit
    Bequest of Earle Backen 2006
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    134.2006
    Copyright
    © Estate of Frances Ellis

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    Artist information
    Frances Ellis

    Works in the collection

    2

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  • About

    Born in New Zealand, Frances Ellis studied in London at the Central School in London in the mid-1920s, where Bernard Meninsky's teaching had the most impact on her. In the mid 1930s she came to Australia to study under Dattilo-Rubbo, further cementing her adherence to French post-impressionism, especially the work of Cezanne. She took over management of the Dattilo-Rubbo School between 1941 and 1949.

    Dattilo-Rubbo set up his school shortly after he arrived in Australia from Italy in1897. It remained an important influence on artists in Sydney until the 1950s. Dattilo-Rubbo valued drawing above all else and particularly admired Cezanne, Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh. His enthusiasm for them can also be seen in the work of three of his best-known early students - Roland Wakelin, Grace Cossington Smith and Roy De Maistre.

    © Australian Art Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2006

Other works by Frances Ellis