Item 02: Death of Wills [i.e. Burke?] / Samuel Thomas Gill

ML 312

item

between 1861 and 1880

Graphic Materials, Watercolours

447415

1 drawing - watercolour - 31.7 cm diameter in frame 56 x 48 cm

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Titled on label affixed to mount

Copy print available on open access in the Mitchell Library Reading Room at call number ML 312

Signed "S.T.G." at lower left

This scene resembles f.9 in Gill's series of watercolours of the Burke and Wills expedition at DGA 15, and f.12 in the Gill collaboration, Dr Doyle's sketch book (PXA 1983), both titled "Death of Burke". The title "Death of Wills" on this picture's mount may be incorrect, as Burke and King were not with Wills at his death. King stayed with Burke in his last moments, returning to Wills to find him dead also. The pistol seen here also relates this image to other portrayals of the death of Burke. The garments worn in this image, however, if consistent with the possible companion piece "Burke, Wills and King" (ML 311), may be interpreted as those of Burke and Wills. References: Burke and Wills: from Melbourne to myth / Tim Bonyhady. Balmain, NSW: David Ell Press, 1991; Dr. Doyle's sketches in Australia: a collection of prints from the original watercolour drawings in the Mitchell Library / S.T. Gill; with notes on the drawings and an historical account of the association between S.T. Gill and Dr. J.T. Doyle by Sasha Grishin. Sydney: Mitchell Library Press and Centaur Press, 1993.
This watercolour appears to be a companion to Gill's "Burke, Wills and King" (ML 311), sharing similar dimensions, circular format and costume details.
Plaque on mount reads: "Presented from the private collection of Mr Philip Kennedy, M.A."

Undated; date range supplied is from the end of the Burke & Wills Expedition to Gill's death