Historical information

A wallpaper sample donated to the collection by Frances Alexandra (Frankie) Derham (1894–1987). Derham was an Australian artist and educator. A lecturer in art at the Melbourne Kindergarten Training College (1928-64) , she later taught at the Associated Teacher Training Institution (1949-61). Her commitment to `child art’ developed after 1935 when she accepted an invitation from Margaret Lyttle to teach at Preshil school.

Significance

Frances Derham's collection of nearly ten thousand children’s drawings and paintings was acquired by the Australian National Gallery in 1976. Her interest in art for and by children is reflected in her donation to the Villa Alba Museum of an important and rare collection of early wallpapers designed for children's rooms.

Physical description

Nursery rhyme wallpaper pattern. Green wallpaper square with various nursery rhyme motifs. "Mrs Rebe Rigg 10 West St New York" written on back. Originally donated by Frances Derham to Villa Alba Museum via Terry Lane..

Inscriptions & markings

Verso: "Mrs Rebe Rigg 10 West St New York"