Woman modelling shorts
Photographer
Gervaise Churchill Purcell
(1919-1999)
Date1957
Object numberANMS1405[366]
NameNegative
MediumCellulose (nitrate or acetate) negative, monochrome
DimensionsOverall: 162 × 108 mm
Copyright©Leigh Purcell
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Leigh Purcell
DescriptionBlack and white negative taken by commercial photographer Gervaise Purcell between 1946-1962, showing a woman wearing a shirt with knee length striped shorts and socks.
HistoryGervaise Churchill Purcell was born on 2 November 1919 of McMahons Point in Sydney and became interested in photography from the age of about 12 while attending North Sydney Boy's High School where he took photographs for the school magazine.
From the late 1940s, Gervaise focused his career on fashion photography often his photographs would appear in publications such as the 'Australian Women’s Weekly'. Gervaise also worked on other commissions involving maritime links to the swimwear manufacturer, Jantzen and the cruise ship operators, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). He also worked for retailing giants David Jones and Hordern Brothers, radio technology manufacturer Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA) and tourism operator Ansett Airways.
