10 Facts about Margaret Preston

Post On: May 26, 2017
By: Agustina
In: Arts

Have you ever heard about Margaret Preston? She is one of the prominent painters and printmakers from Australia. She was born on April 29th, 1875 and died on May 28th, 1963. She appeared as a leading artist in the beginning of 20th century. Her art depicted modernism. Many of her works feature the aboriginal motifs.  If you want to know the details about her life and quest of national art, check Facts about Margaret Preston below:

Facts about Margaret Preston 1: the birthplace

The birthplace of Preston was located in Port Adelaide. Her full name was Margaret Rose Preston. Her mother is Prudence McPherson. Her father was David McPherson who worked as a marine engineer.

Facts about Margaret Preston 2: the nickname

Rose was mainly used to call her by the family when she was still a child. However, she started to use her first name Margaret since her 30s.

Facts about Margaret Preston

Facts about Margaret Preston

Facts about Margaret Preston 3: the life before marriage

Preston had to struggle for her family and herself before she married. When she attended the School of Design in Adelaide, she earned cash by giving private lessons to the students. In 1899, she established her own studio.



Facts about Margaret Preston 4: teaching

Preston taught in two schools in Adelaide. They were Presbyterian Ladies’ College and St Peter’s College.

Check Also: 10 Facts about Margaret Calvert

Facts about Margaret Preston 5: the famous students

Stella Bowen, Gladys Reynell, and Bessie Davidson were some famous students of Margaret Preston. In 1908, Preston’s class was attended by Gladys Reynell and Stella Bowen.

Margaret Preston Facts

Margaret Preston Facts

Facts about Margaret Preston 6: the death of her mother

In 1903, her mother passed away. In 1904 until 1907, she went to Europe with Bessie Davidson. They had visited Africa, Holland, Spain, Italy, Paris and Munich.

Related Article: 10 Facts about Margaret Atwood

Facts about Margaret Preston 7: Paris Salon

In 1905 until 1906, Preston participated in Paris Salon for it suited her.

Facts about Margaret Preston 8: modernism

Preston was known as a modernist artist. Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cézanne were the famous French Postimpressionists who inspired her works. Preston was also interested with Japanese art.

Margaret Preston

Margaret Preston

Facts about Margaret Preston 9: a studio

Preston and Bessie Davidson decided to lease a studio after coming back in Australia in 1907. Both launched a joint exhibition. National Gallery of South Australia purchased her painting under the title Onions (1905).

Read Also: 10 Facts about Lucile Clifton

Facts about Margaret Preston 10: the famous works

The National Gallery of Australia exhibited Preston’s work in December 2004 until April 2005. National Gallery of Victoria, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Queensland Art Gallery also have her collection.

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