Violet H. Evangeline Teague Paintings

Violet H. Evangeline Teague is an Australian artist known primarily for her contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement and her work as a printmaker and painter. Born on December 28, 1872, in Melbourne, Australia, Teague was part of a generation of Australian women artists who were active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She came from a privileged background that allowed her to travel and receive art education, which was somewhat unusual for women of her time.

Initially, Teague began her artistic journey by studying at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School in the 1890s. Her early work was influenced by the prevailing academic styles, but she soon became interested in the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized handmade art and design as a reaction against the industrialization of the era. Teague was also influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, which were popular among artists of the Art Nouveau movement during that time.

Throughout her career, Teague was recognized for her woodblock prints. One of her significant contributions to Australian art was her collaboration with fellow artist Geraldine Rede on a woodblock printed book titled 'Night Fall in the Ti-Tree' in 1905, which was one of the first artist's books to be published by Australian women. The book combined images and poetry and is considered a significant work in the field of Australian printmaking.

In addition to her printmaking, Teague was an accomplished painter. She held several successful solo exhibitions and participated in group shows. Her paintings often depicted scenes of daily life and portraits, and her style evolved over the years to include elements of Post-Impressionism and Symbolism.

Teague's work has been appreciated for its technical skill and its contribution to the development of Australian art. She was also known for her efforts in promoting the work of other women artists and for her active role in the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. Violet Teague continued to work and exhibit her art throughout her life until her death on February 13, 1951, in Victoria, Australia. Her legacy includes not only her own work but also her influence on the generations of Australian artists who followed.