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56 LUCERNE

Other Name Frater house and studio, trees Location 56 LUCERNE, ALPHINGTON VIC 3078 - Property No 272340 File Number Y2011:10864 Level Rec for HO area indiv sig

[1/1] ALPHINGTON LUCERNE CRESCENT

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
This weatherboard Californian Bungalow style house was the long-term home of the significant and well known Australian artist, William Frater. His house was located near to other well known artists such as William McInnes and Norman MacGeorge who made their home around this part of Alphington and Ivanhoe. Desbrowe Annear designed their houses and may have been involved with this building. Frater lived for many years in Alphington, often drawing inspiration from the local landscape. In company with William McInnes, Frater often painted around the Darebin Creek. Frater's large painting, Mt Bogong, in the National Gallery of Victoria was painted at Tawonga and Alphington in company with painter John Borrack. Artist Lina Bryans `...set up an art colony at the nearby Darebin Bridge Hotel, where she and lover William Frater, and sometimes Ian Fairweather and others (Ada Plante and Isobel Tweedle for instance) pursued their modernism and lives. Frater is often given status as the 'father' of Victorian modernism, whereas Bryans, immortalized by Frater as The Red Hat, whose own works were fresh and unrestricted by a tight adherence to Cezanne (unlike Frater's) ..' Frater died at his home at Alphington on 28 November 1974.

How is it significant?
The building is historically significant (National Estate Register Criteria A4, H1) to Alphington and the City of Yarra.

Why is it significant?
The building is significant:
- for its long association with the prominent Australian artist, William Frater; and
- for its good representation of a key period in the City's history.