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"Wear rung commonly known by the name of Mr Long" and Karra da who exchanged names with Captain Ball"
Artist: Watling, Thomas
Created: [between 1792 and 1797]
Dimensions: 31 x 19.1 cm
Reference: Watling Drawing - no. 36

 
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  • Thomas Watling]
  • The drawing is inscribed in blue pencil at top right with the number "45", which refers to the pre-1984 numbering system for the Watling Collection.
  • The drawing is annotated in brown ink at bottom, apparently in Watling's hand, "NB. The contours of these heads are pretty strong resemblances; but should they be en- -graved, it will be necessary to observe that the high lights should be broke down to sable; as the pencil cannot give that strength without much labour and difficulty. - T. Watling".
  • The portrait at the top of the sheet is labelled "No. 1" and signed "T.W.g", the one below is labelled "No. 2" and signed "T.W.g". The drawing is undated.
  • The drawing is signed on the reverse, possibly in John White's hand, "No. 1 Wear rung commonly known by the name of Mr Long, having exchanged names at an early period with tha Gentleman. - No. 2. Karra da who exchanged names with Captain Ba of His Majesty's Ship Supply. They both belong to the Tr of Boo.roo.bee.rung.al [underlined]. The likenesses very strong, indeed, so much that every native of their acquaintance at sight exclaims & call them by name - ". The edges of the text have been lost when the drawing has been cropped, and the full text has been copied onto two separate labels mounted below the drawing.
  • There are two separate labels mounted below the drawing. The top is of laid paper measuring 3.6 x 22 cm. and is inscribed in brown ink "No 1 - Wear rung commonly known by the Name of Mr. Long, having exchanged names at an early period with that Gentleman -", and in pencil at lower right "45(1)". The bottom label is also of laid paper, measures 5.3 x 22 cm. and is inscribed in brown ink "No. 2 Karra da sho exchanged Names with Capt. Ball of His Majesty's Ship Supply - they both belong to the tribe of Boo.roo.bee.rung.a [underlined] - the likenesses very strong, indeed, in so much that every Native of their acquaintance at first sight exclaims and calls them by name ---", and in pencil at lower right "45(2)".
  • 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 12036
  • 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 62, p. 65.)