Title

Flower stand. [by Margaret Preston].

Author

Butler, Roger.

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

1988

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Flower stand.

The prints, Butler (1987), 11-18, can all be dated to 1920. In each case the image measures approximately 21.5 x 27.5 cm. all are printed on thin Japanese tissue paper and with the exception of no. 12, are lightly hand-coloured.

Two of these prints have been seen in their original thin black frames; the paper is trimmed to the image, and there is no mount. The framing is based on the style used to frame Japanese prints at the time.

Impressions of these prints were later exhibited in Adelaide (1926). They were printed on larger sheets of paper and framed in mounts.

The prints are decorative, and most relate to the Mosman area where Preston lived. A report in the Evening News of 18 August 1920 stated that Preston “believes that there is a great future for this class of work for the decoration of flats. She has already started upon a series for a dado for her pretty flat in Mosman.”

This is the only print from the group (11-18), which is not a view of Sydney Harbour, although it is an image of a well known Sydney scene.

“The flower markets of Martin Place are its chief attraction. Cottage bunches and wild flowers parade in company...There's Flannel Flowers, that’s for cold hearts, wear them next to the skin to keep out the chill of uncharitableness. For Boronia, Flannel Flowers and Waratah is the greatest demand.” (The Home no.5, Xmas issue, December 1924, p. 21.)

This article was illustrated with photographs by well-known Sydney photographer Harold Cazneaux (1873-1953), one of which is remarkably similar to Preston’s print.

© Australianprints