Attributed to Florence Ada Fuller c1867-1946 Portrait of Deborah Vernon Hackett and her two Daughters, Verna and Patricia. C. 1912.
Oil on Canvas laid onto board – 89 x 68cm Provenance:
Provenance: Private collection Perth.
The subject picture is extremely likely to be as described. The National Portrait Gallery Canberra purchased from McKenzies lot 90 from the auction held
30/5/05. This artwork depicted D. V. Hackett most likely just after her marriage to Sir John Winthrop Hackett, C. 1905.
Together they had five children, the first two girls. Most likely depicted here.
Fuller, South African born, arrived in Melbourne as a child. After studying at Juliens in Paris, 1894—1901, she settled in Perth in 1904 where she resumed practice as a professional artist.
The West Australian Newspaper in a review of the local art scene, looking back some 30 years, Oct. 23, 1937, asserted, “——Hackett was a patron of Miss Fuller and was a constant visitor to her dignified studio, above his office in the old West Australian Chambers.” The article goes on to say, Hackett commissioned many paintings from Fuller. It is very likely this is one of them.
Of interest and connected to the subject here was another Fuller work depicting Mrs and Mr Hackett standing in a sunlit scene surrounded by grass trees and gum trees. Titled, “A Golden Hour”. It was purchased by the National Gallery Canberra”, from the McKenzies auction of the 3rd and 4th of July, 2012.
Brief Condition Report. The picture would benefit from the attentions of a competent restorer.
Painted on canvas, laid down onto board. It has obviously been neglected at some time. Having evidence of earlier restoration over tears, cuts etc.
However, the important upper half of the picture especially the faces are excellent. Except for a 1cm square area of damage below the lower girls left eye.
