PATERSON, BETTY (1895-1970)

"Playmates" (c.1935)
pencil
43.5 x 33cm
signed lower left
*private collection, Sydney
 
Elizabeth "Betty" Deans Paterson F.R.S.A was an important, pioneering Australian Child Portraitist, Illustrator, Singer, Musician & Cartoonist. She was born into the influential Paterson artistic dynasty. She was a niece of important Australian Impressionist, John Ford Paterson, daughter of respected Australian Painter, Hugh, & sister of influential Australian Modernist, Esther. She was also the aunt of Sir Sidney Nolan. Betty & Esther were child prodigies; accepted into the National Gallery School in Melbourne in their early teens. Betty also studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium & was known as a singer. Following their graduations, both sisters collaborated in illustrating children's books. Betty was the subject of Esther's 1938 Archibald Prize entry "The Yellow Gloves", a significant Modernist portrait; part of the NERAM Collection . The sisters were regular contributors of drawings & cartoons to the Bulletin and newspapers. Their father Hugh was the artist who re-designed Australia's coat of arms; suggested that portraits of our Prime Ministers should be painted; & the first Chairman of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board. Betty also designed many baby books, like the State Bank of Victoria's gifts to mothers of a booklet, Baby Book of Happy Events, allowing parents to chronicle their child's progress. Paterson joined the list of famous Australian artists who illustrated works of Dame Mary Daly. Her portraits were in the collections of the British Royal Family, the Roosevelts & Maurice Chevalier.