Charles Rodius

Bungaree, Chief of the Broken Bay Tribe, N S Wales (c1830)
Lithograph on grey paper
inscribed on the plate below the profile image on left: 'Drawn on stone by C. Rodius' inscribed on the plate lower centre with title: ‘Bungaree/Chief of the Broken Bay Tribe/N S Wales’
29.2 x 22.8 cms (image size is difficult to determine but may be approximately 24 x 20 cm)

SOLD

Copies of this lithograph are extremely rare.The copy in the SLNSW has the information in the catalogue entry: ‘Dated from notice of publication in Sydney Monitor, 6 March 1830 (ref: RAV/FM4/263). It appears to be rarer than Rodius’s lithograph of Bungaree produced in 1834:   ‘A series of portraits of the most prominent Aborigines of the various tribes of New South Wales are in progress by Mr. Rodius, which reflect the highest credit on the talent and application of the artist. The extraordinary fidelity with which the characteristic countenance of these sable children of nature are delineated, suggests itself at first sight, which imparts to the whole series a most interesting character. It is the intention of the artist to submit to the public, a series of lithographic copies of the work, which he proposes to publish by subscription, at such charges as will place these interesting copies within the reach of all classes.’ [Sydney Herald, 2 October 1834, p.3, col.2.]