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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

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The National Portrait Gallery is calling on family history enthusiasts and amateur historians to help reveal more about the people in Dempsey’s People: A folio of British street portraits from 1824-1844.

Match woman, c.1823 (detail) by John Dempsey

The National Portrait Gallery is calling on family history enthusiasts and amateur historians to help reveal more about Dempsey’s People.

After almost 20 years of research, curator Dr David Hansen has identified 25 of the subjects, but is keen to find more information on the characters in Dempsey’s eclectic folio.

1 Old soldier, Salisbury,. 2 Crossing-sweeper, London,. 3 Muffin man,. 4 A maniac,. 5 Bun man, Plymouth,. All by John Dempsey.

‘The folk in Dempsey’s portraits are from a largely marginalised group in the history of art. They are the urban poor of the early 19th century, representatives of the most numerous class of this country’s early settlers, both convict and immigrant. They are ancestors of many contemporary Anglo-Celtic Australians,’ said Dr Hansen.

1 Billman, 1825. 2 Match man, Salisbury,. 3 Old soldier, Hadleigh,. 4 Beggar, Durham,. 5 Beadle, Winchester, 1823. All by John Dempsey.

‘While we have been able to identify some of the subjects, I am eager to hear from the people of Australia to assist us in filling in gaps in the information we do have, and possibly identifying some of the unknown subjects. If you are interested in becoming a ‘citizen historian’, the portraits are all on display at the Gallery until October, or can be viewed online.’

1 Selling watercress, Salisbury,. 2 Sand-man, Whitby, c. 1825,. 3 Policeman, Scarborough, 1825. 4 Tailor's man, Scarborough, 1825. 5 Porter, Charing Cross, 1824. All by John Dempsey.

If you have a family connection to any of the 52 individuals, let us know by sharing your story on social media and tagging @PortraitAu, or send an email to info@npg.gov.au.

1 Bathing woman, Bridlington, c.1825,. 2 Match woman, Woolwich,1824,. 3 Blind beggar, Woolwich, 1824. All by John Dempsey.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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