Medallion
Maker & role
Thomas Woolner (b.1825, d.1892), Sculptor
Production date
1854
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Object detail
Title
Philip Parker King
Production place
Collection
Measurements
Medallion, Diam: 22cm (Diam: 220mm); Frame & medallion, Diam: 26.5cm (Diam: 265mm)
Subject person
Signature & marks
- Inscribed lower centre: T. Woolner, Sc. / 1854
- Clyde Bank label (Printed & handwritten label) in 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 / PhiLLip PARKeR King / 1854’ (handwritten).
- Handwritten on edge of cedar frame, on reverse: ‘…… Philip Parker King, 1854 T. Woolner. Sc’.
- Paper label with printed text attached to bronze, left side of reverse: ‘WOOLNER (Thomas). Sculptor and Poet. One of the original “Pre- / Raphaelite Brethren’.
- Paper label (printed & handwritten label) attached to bronze, right side of reverse: ‘N.S.W.’ (handwritten). ‘KING (Rear Admiral Philip Parker). Bronze Medallion in …… / Thomas Woolner, R.A, 8 ½ ins, signed and date…… / Admiral King was born at Norfolk Island, 13 Dec. 179… … / surveyed the Coast of Australia, with Fitzroy. / Admiral King was the son of Philip Godley King, Governor of / N.S.W. 1800-6’ (printed).
- Clyde Bank label (Printed & handwritten label) in 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 / PhiLLip PARKeR King / 1854’ (handwritten).
- Handwritten on edge of cedar frame, on reverse: ‘…… Philip Parker King, 1854 T. Woolner. Sc’.
- Paper label with printed text attached to bronze, left side of reverse: ‘WOOLNER (Thomas). Sculptor and Poet. One of the original “Pre- / Raphaelite Brethren’.
- Paper label (printed & handwritten label) attached to bronze, right side of reverse: ‘N.S.W.’ (handwritten). ‘KING (Rear Admiral Philip Parker). Bronze Medallion in …… / Thomas Woolner, R.A, 8 ½ ins, signed and date…… / Admiral King was born at Norfolk Island, 13 Dec. 179… … / surveyed the Coast of Australia, with Fitzroy. / Admiral King was the son of Philip Godley King, Governor of / N.S.W. 1800-6’ (printed).
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
Philip Parker King (1854)
Description
Bronze portrait medallion in bas relief of Phillip Parker King (1791-1856) 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.
Phillip Parker King, naval officer, hydrographer and company manager, was born on Norfolk Island, the son of Philip Gidley King – Governor of New South Wales from 1800-1806. In 1807 King entered the British Navy and later trained as a hydrographer. From 1817-1822 King undertook four voyages which made significant contributions to Australian exploration and scientific knowledge of climate, fauna, minerals and topography. In 1821 he was promoted to commander. Now recognised as one of Britain’s leading hydrographers, he was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society and published numerous accounts of his voyages. In 1839 King was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council. He served as Commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company for a decade from 1834-44. As a pastoralist King maintained a strong interest in exploration but also provided major patronage for Conrad Martens, by commissioning some fifteen works.
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.
Phillip Parker King, naval officer, hydrographer and company manager, was born on Norfolk Island, the son of Philip Gidley King – Governor of New South Wales from 1800-1806. In 1807 King entered the British Navy and later trained as a hydrographer. From 1817-1822 King undertook four voyages which made significant contributions to Australian exploration and scientific knowledge of climate, fauna, minerals and topography. In 1821 he was promoted to commander. Now recognised as one of Britain’s leading hydrographers, he was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society and published numerous accounts of his voyages. In 1839 King was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council. He served as Commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company for a decade from 1834-44. As a pastoralist King maintained a strong interest in exploration but also provided major patronage for Conrad Martens, by commissioning some fifteen works.
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
MOS2005/14
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