• Title
  Derrimut of Port Philip, 1837 / painted by Benjamin Duterrau
• Creator
  Benjamin Duterrau, 1767-1851
• Call number
  DG 371
  Status: On display – Paintings from the Collection, Room 2, North Wall, no. 148
  
• Level of description
  fonds
• Date
  
  1837
• Type of material
  Graphic Materials, Paintings
• Reference code
  447273
• Issue Copy
  Digitised
• Physical Description
  1 painting - oil on canvas - image 91 x 71 cm. in frame 103 x 84 cm.
  
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
  
  Derrimut also spelt Derah Mert visited English born but Tasmanian based artist Benjamin Duterrau (1767-1851) on the 5th October 1836. Duterrau sketched two visitors to Hobart Derrimut (DG 371) and Betbenjee, who were leaders of the Yalukit William people of the Bunurong. "Derrimut and Betbenjee returned to Port Phillip a week after the meeting. Duterrau completed the large oil paintings from his sketches and exhibited them in 1837 in an exhibition called, A series of Pictures ... representing the occupations and amusements of Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land'
  
  Reference:
  Reading the Room / edited by Richard Neville and Rachel Franks
• Collection history
  In 1935 the portrait was in Britain and it was reported that the Mitchell Library was to acquire it -- Daily Telegraph, 22 August 1935, p.4. The painting were still in Duterrau's possession on his death in 1851. It was presented to the Mitchell Library by Sir William Dixson in 1938.
• Scope and Content
  "In the portrait Derrimut wears only a traditional possum skin cloak around his waist, the initiation scars on his chest and arms are visible to the viewer".
• Copying Conditions
  Out of copyright: Creator died before 1955
  Please acknowledge:: Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales
• Description source
  
  Work is untitled. Titled in pencil on reverse, though hardly legible. There is also a handwritten label affixed to reverse. Title devised from pencil inscription on reverse and further research provided by the Library for the publication `Reading the Rooms' in 2023.
• General note
  
  Previously titled, Chief Derah Mat [Derrimut] of Port Philip, 5 October 1836 / painted by Benjamin Duterrau
  Derrimut was chief of the Yarra tribe. He forewarned Victorian colonists of a planned attack by Aborigines against them. Thus a massacre was averted but Derrimut's betrayal nearly cost him his life at the hands of the tribes he betrayed. Source: Treasures of the State Library of New South Wales / Anne Robertson. Sydney: William Collins P/L, 1988, pp. 132-133
  Digital order no:a928628
• Signatures / Inscriptions
  
  `B.D. [?] 1837'-- painted at lower right. Part of the inscription, now indecipherable, between the initials and the year, is possibly the month
  `No.2' -- painted on reverse of canvas
• Date note
  
  `1837' inscribed lower right corner of canvas.
• Subject
  Derrimut, died 1864
  Derrimut, died 1864--Pictorial works.
  Derrimut, died 1864--Portraits.
  Aboriginal Australians.
  Costume and clothing - Cloaks and coats - Possum
  
• Exhibited in
  
  Paintings from the Collection - State Library of New South Wales (2018)

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