B. 1869 – 1955 

Born in Melbourne, Dora Meeson grew up in New Zealand and returned to Australia in 1896 to attend the National Gallery School. She went on to study at the Academie Julian in Paris and the Slade School of Art, London, soon meeting the artist George Coates in Paris whom she would later marry. 

Coates and Meeson resolved to not have children and instead, focus on their artistic careers. To support herself, Meeson contributed illustrations to (among other publications) Encyclopedia Britannica. As her reputation strengthened, she exhibited at the Old Salon, Paris, the Royal Academy and became the first Australian woman artist elected to a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. She was also an active participant in London's Suffrage movement. 

Firmly a representational – rather than an impressionist – painter, Meeson was best known for her portraits and landscapes. Her work is represented across British and Australian collections, including at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. 

To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.