Jane Robertson

Jane (Jeannie) Robertson nee Stirling was born in 1881 in Stirling in the Adelaide Hills. The daughter of Sir Edward Stirling and Lady Jane Stirling, Robertson, like many of female peers in her social circle, she enrolled in classes at the then Adelaide School of Design to learn art technical skills. In 1894 Robertson enrolled in the Winter semester, ’Elementary Shading design’ alongside her sister Harriet and in the Spring semester ’Antique design class’ also with Harriet. We can see from Adelaide School of Design records that Jane did not enrol in ’Art Needlework’, unlike her sister Harriet, although she did share both classed in 1894 with Maude Prosser (1876-1950) who was very accomplished in art needlework later teaching at the School of Design. Although the provenance of ’Flowering gum portière’ (20077A37A) in the Gallery’s collection attributes Jane as the maker of the work, recent scholarship suggests that it may also be the work of her sister Harriet or both sisters. Regardless, we can see from the work high level of skill produced and accomplishment by the Stirling sisters informed by their art education. 

’Flowering gum portière’ features an embroidered design of pink flowering gums rendered in silk and wool thread set on a cream beige linen background. An accomplished design, the work contrasts fine silk thread against heavier wool as well as distinctive shading in pale lilacs and pinks particularly against the gum leaves, branches, and gumnuts forms- creating an overall highly painterly effect.

In 1903, Robertson studied Biology at the University of Adelaide, where she met her husband Thonburn Barilsford Robertson (1884-1930). In 1904 she travelled to Germany to study music and in 1907 she studied French as part of undergraduate studies, also at the University of Adelaide.

Rebecca Evans, Curator of Decorative Arts & Design

REF: Email correspondence with Dr Jodie Vandepeer, 23rd June, 2025.