Knut Bull
1811 - 1889
Bull arrived at the penal colony on Norfolk Island in September 1846 aboard the JOHN CALVIN. Nine months later, presumably based on his good behaviour, he was transferred to the Saltwater River station in Tasmania as part of the probationary system in place at that time. This system allowed Bull to receive what was known as a probation pass and he became available for hire to the settlers. In 1850 Bull is recorded as teaching at 'Mrs Roger's seminary in Bagdad, Tasmania', likely in art. However, good behaviour aside, Bull left for Melbourne in the December as a 'runaway prisoner of the Crown' and was 'captured' and retried there in January 1851. During the trial Bull is said to have produced a forged certificate of freedom in the name of 'Thomas Evans'. Although unimpressed, the judge sentenced Bull to only 20 days solitary confinement and by March 1852 Bull had gained his ticket of leave and was now a free man. The next month Bull is recorded as marring Mary Anne Bryen in Hobart and the couple went on to have three sons.
The Bulls remained in Tasmania until 1856 where Knut painted extensively and taught at a number of institutions. It is his paintings from this productive time that he is most well-known. The family then moved to Sydney where Knut died of typhoid fever in 1889. The years in between saw him produce a number of works and commissions including a large work for Customs House at Circular Quay in 1868 to celebrate the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh.
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