Dear Father Christmas

Frank Denton, Artist

This is one of the photographs in our collection. It was made in Whanganui, Whanganui Region, New Zealand in circa 1907.
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Object Detail


About the Work
This image shows Frank's 3 daughters: his oldest Mary writing the letter with the twins Marjorie and Dulcie watching her. According to Beth Drummond, Frank Denton's grand-daughter, the daughter of Marjorie, this image was highly constructed by Frank. Everything including the positioning of the girls and the placement of the inkwell and walnut shells would have directed by Frank for the resultant image.
- Jennifer Taylor Moore, in conversation with Beth Drummond, Frank's grand-daughter 2021

This image is sometimes titled "A Letter to Santa". In a family album belonging to Marjorie Pattie the image has been inscribed thus: "Please Mr. Kaiser, stop the was and send Father home."
- Peter Ireland, Curator of exhibition 'Frank Denton Photographer in a Time of Transition', Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui, 2003
Measurements
507 x 406 mm
Media
silver gelatin print
Description
Three girls gathered around a writing table and a letter, one writing with a pen and ink, empty walnut shells scattered on the desk.
Credit Line
Collection of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Gift of Mary Powell, Marjorie Marshall and Harold Denton, 1965.
Collection Type
Permanent collection
Acquisition Date
28 May 1965

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Accession Number:
1965/1/4