Painting
Silhouette picture
Maker & role
Unknown, Artist
Production date
circa 1835-circa 1838
See full details
Object detail
Title
The children of Sir Ralph Darling
Collection
Measurements
Painting, H: 16.5 x W: 21.5cm (H: 165 x W: 215mm)
Signature & marks
Title inscribed at bottom centre of painting: THE CHILDREN OF SIR RALPH DARLING
Credit line
Gift, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2004
Caroline Simpson Collection, Museum of Sydney Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Collection, Museum of Sydney Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
'The children of Sir Ralph Darling', silhouette reverse painted on glass, around 1836
Description
A silhouette painting on glass with decorative verre eglomise border with a gilt painted timber surround and a bird’s eye maple frame which appear to be original. Its title ‘The Children of Sir Ralph Darling’ in verre eglomise is incorporated in the artwork. The painting depicts a fashionable interior (featuring fringed and tasselled swagged valance, curtains with tie-backs, patterned fitted carpet) in which three children are arranging a floral display on a table. Darling was knighted in 1835 consequently the silhouettes are most likely those of his and his wife Eliza’s three youngest daughters Caroline b.1829, Charlotte Amelia b.1831 and Agnes b.1833 and the work was probably executed between 1835 and 1838. Caroline their eighth child and second daughter was born in New South Wales during her father’s governorship of the colony 1825-1831. The silhouette is a fine example of a painting genre that, within a decade, would be supplanted by photographic portraits. Identified silhouettes of early Australian subjects are rare.Cornelia Maria, b.1818, son b&d 1820, Frederick, b.1821, Edward b&d 1823, Sydney, b.1825, Augustus, b.1826, Edward b.1827 d.1828, Caroline b.1829, Charlotte Amelia b.1831, Agnes b.1833, son b.1836 d.1836/7.
Accession number
MOS2005/4
Share
Maker
Object name
Media / Materials
Technique
Contact Us
Head Office
The Mint, 10 Macquarie St
Sydney, NSW 2000
On Gadigal land
T 02 8239 2288
TTY 02 8239 2377
E info@mhnsw.au
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.