Fay and Jane Birkinshaw 1938

"Fay and Jane Birkinshaw" is a 1938 painting by Rita Angus, a prominent New Zealand artist known for her realist style. This work depicts two young girls, Fay and Jane Birkinshaw, in a domestic setting, likely their own home. They are seated on a wicker chair with a blue cushion, and in front of them is a table with doll-related items, including two dolls. Angus captures a sense of innocence and playfulness in her subjects, while also incorporating social commentary through the use of dolls representing colonial stereotypes. The painting is currently held by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington.