Artist Henry Mundy arrived in Hobart in 1831 and taught drawing, French and music at Ellinthorp Hall, a school geared towards ‘the improvement of Young Ladies’. Mundy thereby gained access to an aspirational, socially-mobile clientele who sought portraits as a form of image management. Susan Lord (c. 1792–1849) was the wife of former soldier Thomas Daunt Lord, who came to Van Diemens Land as a free settler in 1825. From then until 1832, Thomas was commandant of the convict station on Maria Island. Later, having been suspended from duty as a magistrate on suspicion of misappropriating government property, he farmed at Triabunna. Mundy married Thomas and Susan Lord’s eldest daughter, Lavinia, his former student, in 1834. This portrait of Susan forms half of the pair of paintings Mundy did of his parents-in-law. Elements such as the drapery in the background and Susan’s jewellery, bonnet, ringlets and lace collar help to project material comfort and respectability.
Despite his ‘excellent taste and professional ability’, Mundy’s practice gradually declined and exacerbated his alcoholism and depression. He took an overdose of laudanum in a Hobart pub in March 1848, leaving Lavinia and five children to ‘lament his untimely demise’.
Purchased 2015
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Henry Mundy's portraits flesh out notions of propriety and good taste in a convict colony.
Offering portraiture in all its flavours: painting, photography, drawing, textiles, printmaking and sculpture, this exhibition is a feast for minds and eyes.
