NEHEMIAH GIBSON

Artist George Frederick Gregory (1821-1887)

Date1871

Object number00006226

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper

DimensionsMount: 806 x 651 mm
Sight: 426 x 593 mm
Overall: 651 x 806 mm, 3.9 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Collections

Ship portraits

Terms

DescriptionWatercolour by George Frederick Gregory of the American bark NEHEMIAH GIBSON under sail. Inscription beneath the painting reads 'G.F.Gregory - Pinx, Melbourne, 1871 bark "NEHEMIAH GIBSON" of Boston D.Bradford, Master'.HistoryThe Barque NEHEMIAH GIBSON was launched in 1868 in East Boston. It was built by Curtis and Smith and was owned by Nehemiah Gibson. At the time of its launch it was noted by instpectors to be a "very superior vessel". The vessel sailed the New York / Australia run and became a sensation in 1871, when it transported a shipment of twelve elephants from Colombo, Ceylon to New York City for a circus. SignificanceShip painters of colonial Australia supplied a growing market of owners, officers and crew of the thousands of ships visiting Australian ports. Artists worked around the country, painting faithful portraits of ships under sail or steam. From the late 19th century artists began to work with photographers to provide accurate detail. Paintings and photographs were offered on board to be carried back to home ports around the world.