Figure 1.--The O’Mullanes had five children after their marriage (1840). The children seem to have come close togther after their marriage. The portrait here was probably painted shortly after the death of their son, Frederick (April 1851). The children from left are Ann Eliza, Jeremiah, Arthur Augustus, and George. They are a collection of very British and Biblical names. The family had a very sad history with none of th children surviving their mother. The portrait provides a wonderful montage as to how well-to-do Australian children were dressed in the 1850s.

This portrait of Maria Elizabeth O’Mullane and her four surviving children was painted by English artist Willam Strutt. He was a competent artist if showing some chracteistics of naive art. The O'Mullane family lived in Melbourne. Curiously Dr. O’Mullane, is not included in the portrait. He emmigrated from Cork, Ireland, although weare not sure when. He died at his house in Bourke Street only 51 years old (1863). This suggests to us that there were other portraits. The family portrait is undated, but given the age of the children would have been painted about 1852. They are clearly an affluent family painted very early in Australia's colonial history. It is basically a family portrait, but includes both fashion and genre elements of interest to HBC. It is set in the family's parlor with a magificent rug, but strangly a blank wall. Perhaps the artist had tired after the tedious job of painting the wall. Victorian parlors even in Austrlia did not have blank walls. Perhps the family had just moved in the home. We see pets and toys. The pet in this case a very large dog which we at fist mistook for a pony. And we see toys including a doll and bow and arrow--a curiously American toy. Notice the a century plant in the garden which can be seen through the window. Colonists often chose succulents like this for their gardens in the rather dry climate. The sparse interior is furnished with chaise lounge, footstool and chair; this kind of furniture and the English floral carpet was sold in Melbourne in the 1840s and 1850s. The rather widely spaced sunjects seem more a collection of inddividual portraits than a family scene. We get no idea of family relations and mother in particular is depicted in isolation from the children. Thisprobably means a lack shown of professional traiing rather than a statement of Maria as a mother.

Early Colonial Australia (1788-1850)

The British colonization of Australia began shortly after they lost nost of their North American colonies (1788). The First Fleet of British ships arrived at Botony Bay where Sydney, New South Wales was founded. Here the British established a penal colon. The common conception is that th British operated Australia as a vast prison colony resulting from the need address overcrowding in British prisons. This is not an accurate depiction of what happened. Transporting convicts halfway around the world was an expensive proposition. [Frost] In real terms far more expensive than an airline ticket today. Many of those transported were not hardenend career criminals. Most had real skills such as tradesc and farming and were capable of making a living. They were in fct just the kind of people neeed to set up basic infrastructure and build an economy. They had mostly been convicted of trivial offences and had sentences of seven years. The convicts were often pardoned bfore or on completion of their sentences. They were allocated parcels of land to farm. The scientific exploration of the island continent followed along with the subsequent establishment of other Australian colonies. The beginnings of representative democratic government soon followed. Given the outcome of the attempt to limit representative government in America, the Britsh adjusted their colonial policy. The early colonia history period ends at bout the time this portrait was painted. It also conincides with the Gold Rush (1850s).

Art History

In addition to gold seekers in the 1850s, many 19th European artists came to Australia at this time hoping to capitalize on the Gold Rush and expnding economy. Some of the best known are: Thomas Woolner, Eugen Von Guerard, Thomas Clark, Nicholas Chevalier, William Strutt and Ludwig Becker. This portrait of Maria Elizabeth O’Mullane and her four surviving children was painted by an unknown, but competent artist if showing some chracteistics of naive art. He seems to have been a Melbourn artist. There is no indication that the family traveled to Europe. Thus all we know about him is that he appears to have been active in Melbourne during the mid-19th century. The National Gallery of Victoria seems to have concluded that the painter was English artist William Strutt (1825-1915). Apparently Mrs. O’Mullane hired Strutt to teach drawing to her children. The family portrait is undated, but given the age of the children would have been painted about 1852. Another estimate suggests it was painted in 1854, but given the ages of the childrem 1852 sems more likely. Jerimiah would have been 8-9 years old in 1854 and boys that age would been breeched. It is not impossible that he had not been breched, but it would hav been unusual. An Australian art expert tells us that group portraits are unusual in Australian colonial art. This painting of Maria Elizabeth O’Mullane and her children is a rare formal portrait of an early family. [Phipps]

O'Mullane Family

The O'Mullane family lived in Melbourne. Curiously the father, Dr Arthur O’Mullane, is not included in the portrait. He emmigrated from Cork, Ireland. We know that Dr. O'Mullane and a Miss. Maria Elizabeth Barber from Kergingham near Hull, Yorkshire arrived in Port Philip abpard the William Metcalfe (November 15, 1839). Port Philipmis the port area of Melnborne. The Doctor was the Surgeon Superintendent on the ship. Maria was a cabin passenger. They married at St James’ Church (December 5, 1840). Thre was a great need for individuals withprofessional training like Dr. O'Mullane. He proved very successful, bith in professiinal terns as with land and businss investments. And his success is on display in this portrait. The Doctor's absence in this portrait suggests to us that there were other portraits. They are clearly an affluent family painted very early in Australia's colonial history. It is basically a family portrait, but includes both fashion and genre elements of interest to HBC. The rather widely spaced sunjects seem more a collection of individual portraits than a family scene. We get no idea of family relations and mother in particular is depicted in isolation from the children. This probably means a lack shown of professional traiing rather than a statement of Maria as a mother. Strutt's farther was a minaturist nd this seems more of a collction of minaturist portraits than a family image. Dr. O'Mullane died at his house in Bourke Street only 51 years old (1863). [Phipps]

The Parlor Sene

It is set in the family's parlor with a magificent rug, but strangly a blank wall. Perhaps the artist had tired after the tedious job of painting the wall. Victorian parlors even in Austrlia did not have blank walls. Perhps the family had just moved in the home. We see pets and toys. The pet in this case was a rather largecdog. Until we found a large imge, it looked like a pony! And we see toys including a doll and bow and arrow--a curiously American toy. The sparse interior is furnished with chaise longue, footstool and chair; this kind of furniture and the English floral carpet was sold in Melbourne in the 1840s and 1850s. [Phipps]

The Garden

Notice the a century plant in the garden which can be seen through the window. Colonists often chose succulents like this for their gardens in the rather dry climate. Given that the family livd in Melbourne, the window viw is believed to have been fanciful. This may also explain the blank wall.

The Children

The O’Mullanes had five children after their marriage (1840). The children seem o have com close togther after their marriage. The portrait here was probably painted shortly after the death of their son, Frederick (April 1851). This explains why Mrs. O’Mullane wears mourning dress. The children from left are Ann Eliza, Jeremiah, Arthur Augustus, and George. They are a collection of very British and Biblical names. Th family had a very sad history with none of th children surviving their mother.

Jeremiah (1845-56)

The little boy here is Jeremiah born (1845). He would have been about 6 years old at the time. He is wearing a grey dress although the details are difficult to make out. We do note pantalettes, white socks, and strap shoes. At the times boys commonly wire drsses until about 4-5 yeats of age. Boys from well-to-do families like Jeremiah might wear dresses longer than boys from working-class families. Notice that while wearing a dress, his top is more like his brothers with an Eton collar and black bow or cravate like his brothers. It is in sharp contrast to his sister's low neckline dress. We do not know when Arthur was breeched, butperhaps when he turned 7 years old. The age of the boys here set basic paramters to the ge of breeching whih varid frim family to family. Jeremiah died (1856). We do not know the circimsances.

Arthur and George

Arthur and George look to be about 8-10 years old. They are both dressed in black. They seem to be identical black tunic suits with long pants. We think Arthur also wears a tunic suit like his youngr bother, but because of the all black garments, it is more difficult to make out than George's suit. Arthur holds a book, and George has a rather American bow and arrow. Both boys went to Melbourne Church of England Grammar School and each were sportsmen, captained the Cricket XI. Neither lived a full life. rthur died in 1865 and George in 1866. We do not know the circumstances.

Ann Eliza (1841-83)

Ann looks to be the oldest child. She looks to be about 11 years and holds a doll. She wears a low neckline pink/orange dress with pantalettes, white socks, and pumps. Her dress is the only color we see in the family outfits. She is the only child that lived to adulthood and had a family of her own. She married William Garrard, a surgeon, in East Melbourne (1868). She and her husband died (1883). We do not know of the curcumstances. Her mother was still allive n brought up Ann’s five surviving children.

Sources

Frost, Alan. "A Fit of Absence of Mind? The decision to colonise Botany Bay, 1779–1786", Botany Bay Mirages: Illusions of Convict Beginnings (Melbourne University Press: 1994), pp.98–109.

Phipps, Jennifer. Curator, Department of Australian Art, National Gallery of Victoria. "Maria Elizabeth O’Mullane and Her Children" (1977).

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Crerated: 8:02 PM 11/23/2017
Last updated: 8:02 PM 11/23/2017