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Ethnography

Image 64 of 69
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Portrait of an unidentified Aboriginal man
Artist: Watling, Thomas
Created: [between 1792 and 1797]
Dimensions: 20.5 x 16.6 cm
Reference: Watling Drawing - no. 33

 
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  • Thomas Watling]
  • The drawing is inscribed in blue pencil at top right with the number "43", which refers to the pre-1984 numbering system for the Watling Collection.
  • The drawing is annotated in brown ink at bottom "This face is a strong likeness, but the body and arms are much too Muscular and large." This has been copied from an annotation on the reverse of the drawing.
  • The drawing is annotated in brown ink on the reverse, possibly in John White's hand, "This face is a strong likeness but the body & arms are by much too muscular & large -".
  • The drawing is signed in brown ink at lower right "Thomas Watling, delt.", but is undated.
  • The man depicted is not named, but he bears a strong resemblance to the man portrayed in Watling drawing no. 36, who has been named as "Wear rung".
  • The author of this catalogue record is Suzanne Stenning.
  • By permission of the trustees of the Natural History Museum (London).
  • Two sets of transparencies held in the Natural History Museum (London) Zoology Library and Picture Library: Picture Library order number 12033
  • James Lee of Kensington : purchased ; 1902
  • Data sheet available.
  • Wheeler, A. and Smith, B, (eds.) The Art of the First Fleet and other early Australian Drawings. New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1988. (Plate 61, p. 64.)