I - Duterreau's Portraits of Tasmanian Aborigines. The Penny Magazine, June 21, 1834

Summary

“THE following is the account, taken from a V. D. Land newspaper, of the first effort that has been made to fix and hand down to posterity, a true resemblance of this interesting people in their original state and costume: for, according to the local authorities we quote, the few random diminutive attempts in water colours, and rough engraving that have yet been tried, can scarcely be considered as affording any true picture of this singular race.

“‘We had the pleasure the other day, in visiting Mr. Duterreau's collection of paintings in Campbell Street, to be agreeably surprised by remarkably striking portraits of our old sable acquaintances, the aborigines of this island. They are painted of the natural size in three-fourth lengths, having come to Mr. Duterreau, and stood till he took their likeness with the greatest satisfaction. They are all drawn exactly in the native garb. Wooready, the native of Brune Island, who has attended Mr. Robinson in all his expeditions, has his hair smeared in the usual way with grease and ochre.; three rows of small shining univalve shells strung round his neck, and the jaw-bone of his deceased friend suspended on his breast.