Ambrose Patterson

Ambrose Patterson (1877-1967) was a printmaker, painter and teacher. Like Ramsay, Patterson studied under Bernard Hall at the National Gallery School. Travelling to Europe between 1898 and 1899, he continued his studies and returned to Australia via visits to Canada and the United States. In 1901 he returned to Europe, staying until 1910 under the sponsorship of Dame Nellie Melba, to whom he was related by marriage and who wished him to 'work and be a gentlemen without financial restraints'. During this time he became acquainted with Hugh Ramsay, with whom he shared a Paris studio, and who was to have an important influence on his work, particularly his self-portraiture. Patterson's widow recalled 'I don't need to say that my Husband looked on Ramsay as an exceptional artist - in fact, I know he felt he was the Australian artist whose work he most admired'. In 1915 Patterson travelled to Honolulu before migrating to the USA, where he taught and lectured at the University of Washington Art School from 1919 to 1947. He died in Seattle, having visited Australia for the last time in 1951.