Portrait of Woollarawarre Bennelong
Date
1804
Sitter
Woollarawarre Bennelong (1759 - 1813, Eora-Australian)
Creator
Samuel John Neele (1753 - 1824, British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
RCN42189
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 272mm
width (print): 215mm
width (print): 215mm
Subject
Description
Head and shoulders study of Woollarawarre Bennelong, an Australian of the Eora people of New South Wales, shown in profile and wearing a European-style coat.
The plate is inscribed above: ‘Page 170’. Inscribed below: ‘BENELONG: a Native of New Holland. S.I.Neele sc. 352 Strand. Published Jany. 10 1804 by T. Egerton Whitehall.’
Plate 5 from the book The narrative of a discovery…performed in his Majesty’s vessel the Lady Nelson…to New South Wales, by James Grant (London, for T. Egerton, 1803). This book was the product of Grant’s exploration voyages as lieutenant of the Lady Nelson, who made the first passage through the Bass Strait. The surrounding islands are where the crew first encountered the Eora people. Many instances of their contact led to violence against the local population.
The accompanying text states: ‘The other represents Benelong, and is esteemed a good likeness of him. Benelong visited England with Governor Philips, and returned to New South Wales with Governor Hunter.’
Governor Arthur Phillip imprisoned Woollarawarre Bennelong (c.1764-1813) at Port Jackson in 1789 in an attempt to learn Australian languages and customs from him. As a free man, Bennelong later travelled to London, before returning to the Parramatta Rover region of Sydney, Australia.
The plate is inscribed above: ‘Page 170’. Inscribed below: ‘BENELONG: a Native of New Holland. S.I.Neele sc. 352 Strand. Published Jany. 10 1804 by T. Egerton Whitehall.’
Plate 5 from the book The narrative of a discovery…performed in his Majesty’s vessel the Lady Nelson…to New South Wales, by James Grant (London, for T. Egerton, 1803). This book was the product of Grant’s exploration voyages as lieutenant of the Lady Nelson, who made the first passage through the Bass Strait. The surrounding islands are where the crew first encountered the Eora people. Many instances of their contact led to violence against the local population.
The accompanying text states: ‘The other represents Benelong, and is esteemed a good likeness of him. Benelong visited England with Governor Philips, and returned to New South Wales with Governor Hunter.’
Governor Arthur Phillip imprisoned Woollarawarre Bennelong (c.1764-1813) at Port Jackson in 1789 in an attempt to learn Australian languages and customs from him. As a free man, Bennelong later travelled to London, before returning to the Parramatta Rover region of Sydney, Australia.
Associated place