A Life Across Continents
Born in Daylesford, Australia, Ambrose McCarthy Patterson was a painter and printmaker whose artistic journey spanned from the Melbourne Art School to the vibrant studios of Paris. During his time in France, he studied under masters such as Lucien Simon, André Lhote, and Maxime Maufra at the Académie Colarossi and the Académie Julian. His presence in the Parisian art scene was significant, as he exhibited at the first Salon d'Automne exhibitions and had five paintings included in the 1905 Paris Salon. His connections were deep, including a friendship with the soprano Nellie Melba, through whom he was able to continue his studies with John Singer Sargent.
Patterson's travels eventually led him to Hawaii in 1916, where he spent eighteen months creating block prints and paintings, focusing particularly on Kilauea. His work was featured in the Hawaiian Society of Artists Annual in 1917. Following his time in the islands, he moved to California and later settled in Seattle, where he became a major figure in the Pacific Northwest arts community. He established the University of Washington School of Painting and Design and taught until his retirement in 1947.
Artistic Legacy and Recognition
Throughout his career, Patterson received numerous awards and was exhibited in prestigious institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. His wood block prints were noted for being especially fine in color, and his solo exhibitions were held at the Seattle Fine Arts Society and the San Francisco Art Association. His artistic output is preserved in several notable public collections, such as:
