Ballet, 1926 / drawn by Phil McLachlan

SV/201

fonds

1926

Graphic Materials, Watercolours

949493

1 watercolour - 18.5 x 24.4 cm

Phyllis Laishley McLachlan was born in 1905. Her father, Alexander McLachlan, was a well-known Sydney solicitor. On leaving school at the age of 16, she studied with Thea Proctor and at the Julian Ashton School. She first exhibited her watercolours at a Society of Women Painters' exhibition in Sydney in 1922. In 1924, she held her first one-woman show at the Fine Art Gallery. She was best known for her cover designs for The Home and Triad magazines.

McLachlan married Lieutenant-Commander John Collins in 1930. A daughter, Gillian, was born in 1936. McLachlan died in Sydney in 1998 at the age of 92.

Reference:
Obituary of Lady (Phyllis) Collins, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 October 1998
Douglas Stewart Fine Books. http://douglasstewart.com.au (accessed 14 October 2011)

For a discusson of this photograph, see: "Phyllis McLachlan: from watercolours of dancers to life as a naval wife" / Valerie Lawson, in her blog Dancelines. dancelines.com.au (accessed December 24, 2013)

From Artist's estate Reference: Compiled from the collection (paper label attached to back of mount)

A pencil and watercolour sketch of a scene featuring six dancers, some of whom are dressed in Russian costume. Three spotlights illuminate a central couple, while four supporting dancers fill the rest of the stage against an architectural backdrop with purple panels.

Pencil sketch on verso possibly of a trial cover for The Home magazine, featuring a woman in art deco dress reclining and reading.

Copyright status:: In copyright - Life of artist plus 70 years
Copyright holder:: Estate of Phyllis McLachlan
Approval for reproduction required:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy Estate of Phyllis McLachlan

Discussed and published in: "Phyllis McLachlan: from watercolours of dancers to life as a naval wife", September 2012 on Valerie Lawson's blog Dancelines. http://dancelines.com.au/ (accessed September 12, 2012)

Titled in pencil below image

Signed and dated in pencil at upper left 'Phil McLachlan 26'