Thea Proctor became enamoured with woodcut printing after meeting Margaret Preston in 1922, and was quick to recognise its potential as a means for advancing the cause of modernist art. Though Proctor produced only a small number of woodcuts herself, her inspired teaching ensured the popularity of the medium with a younger generation of artists. 

The interior depicted in Women with fans 1930 is likely to be Proctor’s Sydney home, providing an intimate glimpse into the artist’s sophisticated world. The women’s chic attire and hairstyles reflect the fashions of the 1920s, along with Proctor’s keen interest in couture. The striking floral dress worn by the woman on the right references the costumes of the Ballets Russes. Proctor, who had seen the company in 1911, said of the performance, ‘It would be difficult to imagine anything more beautiful and inspiring’.