Medallion
Maker & role
Thomas Woolner (b.1825, d.1892), Sculptor
Production date
1854
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Object detail
Title
Sir James Martin
Production place
Collection
Measurements
Medallion, Diam: 22cm (Diam: 220mm); Frame & Medallion, Diam: 33cm (Diam: 330mm)
Subject person
Signature & marks
- Inscribed lower centre: 'T. Woolner, Sc. 1854'
- Clyde Bank label (printed & handwritten label) on upper left centre of reverse: 'CLYDE BANK/ 43 LOWER FORT STREET / THE ROCKS, SYDNEY 2000/ TELEPHONE: (02) 9241 4776/ FACSIMILE: (02) 9251 4991' (printed). ‘Mis. 10 / ThomAs WooLNeR 1825-1892 / PORTRAIT MedaLLioN / SiR James MARTiN / 1854’ (handwritten).
- Sotheby’s label (printed & handwritten) on upper left of reverse: ‘27186/5 OF 6’ (handwritten). ‘SOTHEBY’S / FOUNDED 1744’ (printed).
- Artworld Shipping label (printed & handwritten label) in upper right corner of reverse: ‘Mr B Venus / (1 of 6)’ (handwritten). ‘ARTWORLD SHIPPING LTD / Ryland House, Ryland Road, London NW5 3EH / Telephone. 0171482 8308 Fax. 0171267 5309’ (printed). ‘20224221/1’ (handwritten).
- Masking tape on centre of reverse: ‘SIR JAMES / MARTIN’ (handwritten)
- Clyde Bank label (printed & handwritten label) on upper left centre of reverse: 'CLYDE BANK/ 43 LOWER FORT STREET / THE ROCKS, SYDNEY 2000/ TELEPHONE: (02) 9241 4776/ FACSIMILE: (02) 9251 4991' (printed). ‘Mis. 10 / ThomAs WooLNeR 1825-1892 / PORTRAIT MedaLLioN / SiR James MARTiN / 1854’ (handwritten).
- Sotheby’s label (printed & handwritten) on upper left of reverse: ‘27186/5 OF 6’ (handwritten). ‘SOTHEBY’S / FOUNDED 1744’ (printed).
- Artworld Shipping label (printed & handwritten label) in upper right corner of reverse: ‘Mr B Venus / (1 of 6)’ (handwritten). ‘ARTWORLD SHIPPING LTD / Ryland House, Ryland Road, London NW5 3EH / Telephone. 0171482 8308 Fax. 0171267 5309’ (printed). ‘20224221/1’ (handwritten).
- Masking tape on centre of reverse: ‘SIR JAMES / MARTIN’ (handwritten)
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
Sir James Martin (1854)
Description
Bronze portrait medallion in bas relief of Sir James Martin (1820-1886) by Thomas Woolner, 1854. During the mid nineteenth century the portrait medallion had heroic associations and was seen as a public, rather than a private art form. The ability to produce multiple casts, in different mediums, created a viable market in the colony for these images. Apart from private family ownership, these portraits were also sought after by colonists of ‘a nationalist persuasion’.
English sculptor Thomas Woolner (1825- 1892) trained in the studio of William Behnes, one of Britain’s eminent sculptors, before leaving England in 1852 to try his luck on the Victorian goldfields. After limited success he returned to his original profession seven months later. Early in 1854 Woolner moved to Sydney and, after receiving widespread acclaim for his portrait medallion of William Charles Wentworth, his work was much in demand by clients who were landowners, government officials, civil servants, professionals and merchants.
Sir James Martin, journalist, politician and Chief Justice, was born in Ireland. His family immigrated to Sydney in 1821, where Martin was educated at W.T. Cape’s school. He was later articled in law to G.R. Nichols, and went on to establish a successful legal practice. In 1848 Martin was elected to the Legislative Council of New South Wales and to the first Parliament under responsible government in 1856. In 1853 Marin acquired Clarens, an imposing mansion on Wylde Street Potts Point, which became the focus of his extensive art collection. From 1863-1865 he served as Premier of New South Wales, then formed a coalition with Sir Henry Parkes from 1866-1868 and again became Premier briefly from 1870-1872. In 1873 he was appointed Chief Justice. Martin consolidated his position in Sydney society by numerous appointments and memberships including: Sydney College, Sydney Choral Society, the National Board of Education and the Sydney Club. He died on 4 November 1886 and Martin Place in Sydney is named after him.
Woolner’s portraits followed the traditions of Renaissance medallic sculpture which drew upon the form of the Roman medal but his work was noted for his accuracy in modelling realistic detail. The Australian casts were originally in plaster and no evidence has been found to indicate that the reliefs were ever locally cast in bronze. When Woolner returned to England in 1854, he took several of these plaster reliefs for casting in bronze. These Australian medallions drew attention to his merits as a portraitist and he continued to work successfully in this genre on both private and major public commissions. In 1874 he was elected to the Royal Academy and taught briefly as Professor of Sculpture between 1877-1879.
English sculptor Thomas Woolner (1825- 1892) trained in the studio of William Behnes, one of Britain’s eminent sculptors, before leaving England in 1852 to try his luck on the Victorian goldfields. After limited success he returned to his original profession seven months later. Early in 1854 Woolner moved to Sydney and, after receiving widespread acclaim for his portrait medallion of William Charles Wentworth, his work was much in demand by clients who were landowners, government officials, civil servants, professionals and merchants.
Sir James Martin, journalist, politician and Chief Justice, was born in Ireland. His family immigrated to Sydney in 1821, where Martin was educated at W.T. Cape’s school. He was later articled in law to G.R. Nichols, and went on to establish a successful legal practice. In 1848 Martin was elected to the Legislative Council of New South Wales and to the first Parliament under responsible government in 1856. In 1853 Marin acquired Clarens, an imposing mansion on Wylde Street Potts Point, which became the focus of his extensive art collection. From 1863-1865 he served as Premier of New South Wales, then formed a coalition with Sir Henry Parkes from 1866-1868 and again became Premier briefly from 1870-1872. In 1873 he was appointed Chief Justice. Martin consolidated his position in Sydney society by numerous appointments and memberships including: Sydney College, Sydney Choral Society, the National Board of Education and the Sydney Club. He died on 4 November 1886 and Martin Place in Sydney is named after him.
Woolner’s portraits followed the traditions of Renaissance medallic sculpture which drew upon the form of the Roman medal but his work was noted for his accuracy in modelling realistic detail. The Australian casts were originally in plaster and no evidence has been found to indicate that the reliefs were ever locally cast in bronze. When Woolner returned to England in 1854, he took several of these plaster reliefs for casting in bronze. These Australian medallions drew attention to his merits as a portraitist and he continued to work successfully in this genre on both private and major public commissions. In 1874 he was elected to the Royal Academy and taught briefly as Professor of Sculpture between 1877-1879.
Accession number
MOS2005/13
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