GUIDE TO THE ISOBEL ANDERSON STUART ARCHIVE IN THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

Transcription

1 GUIDE TO THE ISOBEL ANDERSON STUART ARCHIVE IN THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM Helen Yoxall 2006

2 CONTENTS Biographical Note Series List Series Descriptions and Item Lists

3 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Registration Number: 2003/88/ Creator: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Isobel Anderson Stuart ( ) was born Isobel Dunlop at Inverell, New South Wales on 2 May 906. She was a designer and embroiderer and close friend and assistant to interior designer and retailer Marion Hall Best. Isobel worked in Best's Rowe Street store during 940s with Dora Sweetapple who later taught at the Double Bay Studio, an experimental studio established by six Sydney women artists in 945 in a converted billiard-room in the Double Bay home of Mrs Hunter White (next to Redleaf Pool?), under the auspices of the Society of Arts and Crafts, NSW. Initially Ann Gillmore Rees was the instructor. After she returned to the UK in 948, Dora Sweetapple became head instructor teaching practical ways of using colour and design in the home as well as fabric printing and interior decorating. Muriel Medworth taught drawing and embroidery, Thea Proctor taught drawing, composition and an advanced design class, Amie Kingston taught drawing and stage design and Eric Roberts taught lettering. Works by the studio's pupils, including Isobel, were displayed at the "Colour and Design" exhibition in the David Jones Art Gallery in 949. Isobel wrote an article about the School following the exhibition in the journal, Jaras. Isobel married Anders Anderson Stuart, 940s? They were later divorced. Her second husband was William Craig whom she married on 2 April 954. Isobel died 2 February 997. References: Curator's notes on Object File (Anne-Marie Van de Ven, Curator 2002) Stuart, Isabel Anderson. 'They Teach art, Double Bay Studio', Jaras: journal of the arts, Spring 945, p.32 Miller, Tatlock Harry. 'Art for housewives', Colour Sunday Sun Magazine, 27 March 949, pp.8-9

4 SERIES LIST Creator: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Reg. Number Series Title Date 2003/88/- Sketchbooks 940s 2003/88/-2 Design sketches 940s 2003/88/-3 Linocuts 940s 2003/88/-4 Exhibition invitations and catalogues /88/-5 Letters received from Marion Hall Best /88/-6 Printed material /88/-7 Photographs s 2003/88/-8 Art student's source materials 940s

5 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/- Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Sketchbooks Date Range: 940s Physical Characteristics: Description: Two wire-bound sketchbooks with grey covers containing pencil and watercolour design sketches. Some loose pages. Sketchbooks (2), Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Two wire-bound sketchbooks containing pencil and watercolour sketches for textile designs and Christmas cards. The design elements include fans, shells, musical instruments, mermaids, circus and Christmas motifs. Many of the designs appear to be for scarves. Arrangement: Dimensions: Shelf Length m Box Number: F

6 ITEM LIST Sketchbooks Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-/ Sketchbook, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s 'Spirax' wire-bound sketchbook containing pencil and watercolour design sketches, featuring fans, shells and circus motifs and designs for Christmas cards. Inscribed in pencil on front cover 'Isobel Anderson Stuart', '2/6' and 'Lithographic varnish'. Loose in the sketchbook are linoprints and sketches. F 2003/88/-// Sketchbook, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 940s F 2003/88/-//2 Sketch, pencil, curved motifs, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Sketch of elements of repeat pattern pencil and watercolour design in the sketchbook. F 2003/88/-//3 Sketch, repeat pattern of curved motifs, pencil and gouache on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Inscribed in pencil on reverse 'Isobel Anderson Stuart'. F 2003/88/-//4 Linoprints (2 on one sheet), 'Happy Christmas' and 'Noel Noel' Christmas card linocuts, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Inscribed in pencil on reverse 'Ball's paper merchants/ Kent St. un-sized/paper'. F 2003/88/-//5 Sketch, circus design, gouache on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s F 2003/88/-/2 Sketchbook, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Wire-bound sketchbook containing pencil and watercolour design sketches, featuring musical instruments, mermaids, floral repeat patterns, Christmas and circus motifs. Inscribed in pencil on front cover 'I. [W?] Anderson Stuart' and 'Scarves'. Stationer's stamp 'FROM/ SWAINS/ 23 PITT ST., SYDNEY'. Loose in the sketchbook are four sketches and a Christmas card. F 2003/88/-/2/ Sketchbook, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s F 2003/88/-/2/2 Sketch, pencil, musical instruments, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s F 2003/88/-/2/3 Christmas card, printed, from M. Mitchell-Henry, 946 Front of card features illustration of horses on a roundabout F 2003/88/-/2/4 Sketch, pencil, curved design and flowers, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s F

7 Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-/2/5 Sketch, pencil, curved design and flowers, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s F 2003/88/-/2/6 Sketch, pencil, bird in cage, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s F

8 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-2 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Design sketches Date Range: 940s Physical Characteristics: Description: Sketches on paper in various media - pencil, pen and gouache - and linoprints. Design sketches (9), Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Design sketches of textiles, including a scarf and sketches and linoprints of Christmas cards. Arrangement: Dimensions: Shelf Length 0.00 m Box Number:

9 ITEM LIST Design sketches Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-2/ Design for textile, pencil and gouache on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Features table with cloth, fruit, jug and ferns. Inscribed on reverse in pencil 'Table & fern/ 456' and '2" repeat'. 2003/88/-2/2 Design for scarf, pencil and gouache on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Design features a café table and chair, letters and flowers, with the names of capital cities around the edge. A pencil sketch of this design is in sketchbook 2003/88/-/ /88/-2/3 Linoprint, made from 'Noel Noel' Christmas card linocut, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Linoprint in red ink made from the linocut at 2003/88/-3/ /88/-2/4 Linoprint, made from 'Noel Noel' Christmas card linocut, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Linoprint in red ink made from the linocut at 2003/88/-3/ /88/-2/5 Sketch, pencil on tracing paper, 'Noel Noel' Christmas card design, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s 2003/88/-2/6 Sketches, various on one sheet, pencil and gouache on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Includes gouache of 'Noel Noel' Christmas card design. 2003/88/-2/7 Sketches, various on one sheet, pencil on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Includes pencil sketch of 'Happy Christmas' Christmas card design. 2003/88/-2/8 Sketch, of poodle, pencil on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Drawn on a business envelope of David Jones Art Gallery, Marion Best, Director. 2003/88/-2/9 Sketch, of camellia and gardenia, pen on paper, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Drawn on a letterhead of David Jones Art Gallery, Marion Best, Director.

10 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-3 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Linocuts Date Range: 940s Physical Characteristics: Designs cut in relief on linoleum adhered to wooden blocks Description: Linocuts (3), linoleum and wood, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Two linocuts of Christmas card designs and one of a textile design of an interior setting. Arrangement: Dimensions: Shelf Length m Box Number:

11 ITEM LIST Linocuts Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-3/ Linocut, 'Happy Christmas' Christmas card design, linoleum and wood, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Features angel holding a scroll of music. 2003/88/-3/2 Linocut, 'Noel Noel' Christmas card design, linoleum and wood, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s Features angel holding ribbons attached to a bell, hovering over a town. Sketch of this design is in sketchbook 2003/88/-/. 2003/88/-3/3 Linocut, interior setting, linoleum and wood, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s The design features table, chair, epergne, shuttered window and birdcage. Sketches of elements of this design are in sketchbook 2003/88/-/2. A ladies' blouse made from fabric printed with this design is at 2003/88/3.

12 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-4 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Exhibition invitations and catalogues Date Range: Physical Characteristics: Printed Description: Exhibition invitations and catalogues (6), collected by Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, Invitations and catalogues to exhibitions including those of Elisabeth Macintyre, Desiderius Orban and the Double Bay Studio of the Society of Arts and Crafts. Arrangement: Chronological Dimensions: Shelf Length 0.00 m Box Number:

13 ITEM LIST Exhibition invitations and catalogues Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-4/ Invitation, printed, to opening of an 'Exhibition of Toys and Nursery Designs by Elisabeth McIntyre', Macquarie Galleries, Sydney, New South Wales, 5 November [94?] Elisabeth MacIntyre ( ) was a children's writer and illustrator who championed the use of Australian flora and fauna in design. 2003/88/-4/2 Exhibition catalogue, 'Exhibition of an Englishman's Home from 700 to 94', David Jones' Art Gallery, 6-3 May 94 Loan collection of furniture, pictures, china, glass, silver, and early Chinese art. 2003/88/-4/3 Exhibition catalogue, 'Orban', Farmer's Blaxland Galleries, Sydney, New South Wales, 6-8 November 944 Exhibition of the work of Desiderius Orban. Another copy in Douglas Annand archive at 98/89/-36/ /88/-4/4 Exhibition catalogue, 'Design and Colour', presented by the Double Bay Studio of the Society of Arts and Crafts, NSW at the David Jones' Art Gallery, Sydney, New South Wales, 949 Inscribed in pencil on front cover 'I.A.S.' and bearing pencilled annotations inside. The exhibition featured the work of the pupils of Amie Kingston, Margaret Oppen, Margaret Richmond, Muriel Medworth, Thea Proctor and Dora Sweetapple. 2003/88/-4/5 Exhibition catalogue, 'Design and Colour', presented by the Double Bay Studio of the Society of Arts and Crafts, NSW at the David Jones' Art Gallery, Sydney, New South Wales, 949 The exhibition featured the work of the pupils of Amie Kingston, Margaret Oppen, Margaret Richmond, Muriel Medworth, Thea Proctor and Dora Sweetapple. 2003/88/-4/6 Invitation, printed, to view furnishing fabrics and accessories at Marion Best's premises, Sydney, New South Wales A blank invitation 'Invites you to see her lovely and unusual range of Furnishing Fabrics and Accessories purchased during her recent visit overseas, and to consult her about colour schemes for your Home' at either her 53 Queen St, Woollahra or 25 Rowe St, Sydney premises.

14 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-5 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Letters received from Marion Hall Best Date Range: Physical Characteristics: Handwritten letters on business letterhead Description: Arrangement: Letters received (3) by Isobel Anderson Stuart from Marion Hall Best, Woollahra, New South Wales, Chronological Dimensions: Shelf Length 0.00 m Box Number:

15 ITEM LIST Letters received from Marion Hall Best Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-5/ Letter to Bill Craig and Isobel Anderson Stuart from Marion Hall Best, Woollahra, New South Wales, 7 February 960 Thanking them for the mangoes and mentioning the payment for and shipping of goods and the delay in receiving certain decorating materials. On her business letterhead. 2003/88/-5/2 Letter to Isobel Anderson Stuart from Marion Hall Best, Woollahra, New South Wales, 27 June 96 Mentions covers for Isobel, legal troubles, bankruptcy of Scandanavian Style and cosmetic surgery. 2003/88/-5/3 Letter to Isobel Anderson Stuart from Marion Hall Best, Woollahra, New South Wales, 4 August [96] Expresses distress about Bill, mentions their skiing holiday at Thredbo, the "sleepy hollow chair", arrangements for a cocktail party for visiting interstate dentists and redecoration of her home. On her business letterhead.

16 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-6 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Printed material Date Range: Physical Characteristics: Printed magazines, book, and flyer Description: Printed material (6 items) collected by Isobel Anderson Stuart, Australia/England, Largely art, fashion and general magazines containing articles on interior and textile design, including Stuart's article on the Double Bay studio and articles re Marion Hall Best. Arrangement: Chronological Dimensions: Shelf Length m Box Number:

17 ITEM LIST Printed material Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-6/ Magazine, 'Australia National Journal', vol. 2 no. 8, published by Sydney Ure Smith Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, July 94 Page 57 titled 'Marion Best Fabrics' features two black & white photographs of curtain fabrics by Dora Sweetapple, Ailsa Allen and Thea Proctor. Inscribed on front cover in ink 'Craig p.57' and 'I. [L?] Anderson Stuart'. 2003/88/-6/2 Magazine, 'The Studio', vol. 22 no. 580, London, England, July 94 Cover missing 2003/88/-6/3 Magazine, 'The Studio', vol. 22 no. 582, London, England, September /88/-6/4 Magazine, 'The Studio', vol. 23 no. 59, London, England, June /88/-6/5 Magazine, 'The Studio', vol. 24 no. 595, London, England, October 942 Special issue on 'Australia in Art' with message from John Curtin, Prime Minister. The article 'Australian Fabrics' on pages 40-4 describes Marion Hall Best's enterprise and features photographs of textiles by Elaine Haxton, Isobel Anderson Stuart, Amie Kingston and Ann Gillmore Rees. Inscribed in ink on cover 'Craig p.40'. (Part of Isobel Anderson Stuart Archive) 2003/88/-6/6 Book, 'A New Approach to Textile Designing by a Group of Australian Artists', cover design by Douglas Annand, published by Ure Smith Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, 947 Includes foreword by Claudio Alcorso and essays by Professor J.T. Burke, Hal Missingham and Sydney Ure Smith, with black & white and colour plates of textile designs by Douglas Annand, Jean Bellette, James Cant, William Constable, Mary Curtis, Roy Dalgarno, Alice Danciger, William Dobell, Russell Drysdale, Adrian Feint, Donald Friend, James Gleeson, Sheila Grey, Geoffrey Graham, Paul Haefliger, Frank Hinder, Peter Kaiser, Mary Lewis, Francis Lymburner, Muriel Medworth, Frank Medworth, Hal Missingham, Alistair Morrison, Niny, Justin O'Brien, Desiderius Orban, Carl Plate, Margaret Preston, Loudon Sainthill, Suzanne Rogers, Roderic Shaw, Betty Skowronski and J. Carrington Smith. Cover design by Douglas Annand.

18 Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-6/7 Magazine, 'Colour Magazine: Sunday Sun supplement', Sydney, New South Wales, 27 March 949 Includes an article by [Harry] Tatlock Miller, 'Art for Housewives', on pages 8-9 re the Double Bay studio of the Society of Arts and Crafts of NSW. It features photos of Isobel Anderson Stuart, Dora Sweetapple, Muriel Medworth, Margaret Oppen and students. 2003/88/-6/8 Magazine, 'JARAS: Journal of the Arts', Sydney, New South Wales, Spring 949, with typescript article The magazine includes an article by Isabel Anderson Stuart "They teach art" on page 32. Inscribed in ink on front cover 'Isabel Craig p32'. Loose in the magazine is a typescript version of the article entitled 'Double Bay Studio'. 2003/88/-6/8/ Magazine, 'JARAS: Journal of the Arts', Sydney, New South Wales, Spring /88/-6/8/2 Typescript article, 'Double Bay Studio', Isobel Anderson Stuart, Sydney, New South Wales, /88/-6/9 Business envelope, David Jones Art Gallery, Marion Best, Director, Sydney, New South Wales, 940s 2003/88/-6/0 Magazine, 'Nation', no. 55, Sydney, New South Wales, 7 October 964 Cover with photo of Marion Hall Best and article on pages 9- 'Interior designs: Lady Hall Best and the other priests of decoration'. Inscribed on cover 'Isabel Craig' and '-97 DRUM'. 2003/88/-6/ Note, by Isobel Anderson Stuart Re three of the publications, 2003/88/-6/0, -6/ and -6/ /88/-6/2 Magazine article, 'House that's also a home: a private world of beauty', by James Swartzman, Woman's Day, 22 May 967 Article re the home of Sir John and Lady [Marion] Hall Best, pages /88/-6/3 Magazine article, 'Jacqueline Willis talks to Marion Best', Vogue Australia, April/May 968 The journalist follows Marion Hall Best through a day of appointments. The article includes colour photographs of the Best's home featuring Marimekko prints. Pages /88/-6/4 Magazine article, 'Jacqueline Willis talks to Marion Best', Vogue Australia, April/May 968 The journalist follows Marion Hall Best through a day of appointments. The article includes colour photographs of the Best's home featuring Marimekko prints. Pages /88/-6/5 Magazine article, 'Marion Best: the Trail Glazer' by Robin Duffecy, in 'M' magazine, June 984 The article, on pages 26-27, includes colour photographs of the interiors of Marion Hall Best's home, her shop and exhibition rooms.

19 Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-6/6 Flyer, for the publication 'Thea Proctor: the prints', c980 Flyer for limited edition of Proctor's prints offered as a pre-publication offer to subscribers of The Australian Opera.

20 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-7 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Photographs Date Range: s Physical Characteristics: Photographic prints Description: Arrangement: Photographs (2), portraits of Isobel Anderson Stuart, 954 and 990s Two photographic portraits of Stuart, one on her honeymoon in April 954 following her marriage to William Craig and one in later life, 990s. Chronological Dimensions: Shelf Length 0.00 m Box Number:

21 ITEM LIST Photographs Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-7/ Photograph, black & white, portrait of Isobel Anderson Stuart, on her honeymoon, April 954 Following her marriage to William Craig. Copy print 2003/88/-7/2 Photograph, colour, portrait of Isobel Anderson Stuart, 990s

22 SERIES DESCRIPTION Registration Number: 2003/88/-8 Creators: Stuart, Isobel Anderson Art student's source materials Date Range: 940s Physical Characteristics: Prints Description: Art student's source materials (5), paper, , collected by Isobel Anderson Stuart in the 940s Five prints of works by Pierre Bonnard, Raoul Dufy and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, presumably collected by Stuart as an art and design student. Arrangement: Dimensions: Shelf Length 0.00 m Box Number:

23 ITEM LIST Art student's source materials Item Number Item Title Box 2003/88/-8/ Poster, copy print of a colour lithograph, 'L'estampe et l'affiche: revue d'art', designed by Pierre Bonnard, Paris, originally published in 897 The first issue of L'estampe et l'affiche: revue d'art was published in March /88/-8/2 Poster, copy print of a colour lithograph, 'La revue blanche', designed by Pierre Bonnard, printed by Edouard Ancourt, Paris, originally published in 894 La revue blanche was an illustrated monthly magazine started in 889, publishing contemporary and avant garde literature, political comment and images. 2003/88/-8/3 Print, black & white, 'Longchamps, Brocatelle 92', Raoul Dufy, 923 From 'Les arts de la maison', Winter 923. Longchamps is a horse racing track in Paris in the Bois de Boulogne. The print features jockeys on horses, spectators and roses 2003/88/-8/4 Print, colour, woman riding horse bareback, with dog, [Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, originally published 890s?] 2003/88/-8/5 Print, black & white, two male riders standing on two horses, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, originally published 890s