Colour and decoration: the Paterson Brothers, interiors, and art: 1875-1915
The Paterson Brothers was the preeminent interior art decorating firm based in Melbourne from the 1870s into the early twentieth century.
This well illustrated survey lecture contextualises the work and legacy of Melbourne’s leading decorating firm the Paterson Brothers and is fittingly presented in the stunning interior of Villa Alba, Kew, which this firm decorated between 1883 and 1884. Remarkably, it is the sole survivor amongst their predominantly whitewashed or demolished interiors lost to history and is crucial to the appreciation of our built heritage and cultural memory during Melbourne’s heritage festival.
Bold colourists, who incorporated rich and vibrant shades with harmonious hues, the Paterson Brothers was the preeminent interior art decorating firm based in Melbourne from the 1870s into the early twentieth century. Painting the walls and ceilings of mansions, villas, government buildings, theatres, hotels and churches, this firm transformed interiors with rich, eclectic, hand painted and stencilled ornaments, and figurative patterns.
Image: Victorian Trades Hall Council. Old Council Chamber. Ceiling detail. Photographer Andrew Montana