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Janie Wilkinson Whyte

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Janie Wilkinson Whyte
Born1869 Edit this on Wikidata
Died7 April 1953 Edit this on Wikidata (aged 83–84)
Canterbury Edit this on Wikidata
OccupationPainter, etcher, wood carver Edit this on Wikidata

Janie Wilkinson Whyte (1869–1953) was an Australian impressionist artist and part of the first wave of feminist artists in Melbourne.

Biography

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Canterbury bell flowers, ca. 1921–1930, State Library Victoria

Whyte was a painter, etcher, and wood-carver who studied at the National Gallery School from 1890–1895[1] and together with Dora Wilson and Jessie Traill took lessons in etching from John Mather.[2] Their etchings were published in The Lone Hand in 1907 as some of the earliest works in this field made by women.[2] Whyte was an impressionist artist who painted portraits,[3] figure studies, and landscapes,[4] and was one of the first Melbourne women to paint dockyard scenes.[1] She also painted interiors and flowers, and worked with oils, watercolours, and pastels.[4] Her cityscapes contained charming observations of Melbourne life.[1] Whyte taught at the Sydenham College[5] and Ipswich Girls Grammar School.[6]

As part of a first wave of feminist artists in Melbourne,[1] Whyte presented a paper at women's cultural group the Austral Salon along with Violet Teague in August 1907.[7] While a copy of her lecture was not archived it is said she discussed the struggle for Australian women artists to get recognition.[7]

Whyte joined the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) in 1909, served on its committee and was president in 1921–1922. She maintained her membership until 1952.[8] She showed with the MSWPS in the 1920s.[9]

Whyte died on 7 April 1953 at her home in Canterbury, Victoria,[10] and was cremated.[11] She was survived by a sister and numerous nieces and nephews.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Design and Art Australia Online. "(Short bio - Whyte, Janie Wilkinson (1869-1953))". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b Lee, Mary Alice, "Wilson, Dora Lynnell (1883–1946)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 20 August 2020
  3. ^ "VICTORIAN ARTISTS' SPRING EXHIBITION". Punch. 13 September 1917. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b Angeloro, David James (2019). "An Australian Woman's Impression and Its Influences" (PDF). Davidson Auctions.
  5. ^ "A Beautiful Picture Gallery". Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter. 11 October 1906. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  6. ^ "SOCIAL GOSSIP: Personalities". Queenslander. 10 December 1910. p. 15. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  7. ^ a b Peers, Juliette (June 2011). "Women artists as drivers of early art historical activities and alternative art historical narratives in Australia" (PDF). Journal of Art Historiography. 4: 1–18.
  8. ^ Kerr, Joan, ed. (1995). Heritage: the national women's art book: 500 works by 500 Australian women artists from colonial times to 1955. Australia: G+B Arts International. p. 475. ISBN 978-976-641-045-2.
  9. ^ "Art Notes". The Age. 23 August 1923. p. 12. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Family Notices". Age. 9 April 1953. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Family Notices". Herald. 8 April 1953. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
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