Portraits of Edmund Besley Court Kennedy and Margaret Murphy

PXA 7845

fonds

approximately 1842

Graphic Materials, Watercolours

9682751

3 watercolours - 42 x 38 cm or smaller

According to the vendor, on Edmund Kennedy's death, his personal effects came under the control of his landlady, Edgar Beale’s great-great-grandmother, Sarah (Mrs Frederick) Turner, née Alatson. Her son was Alfred Alatson Turner, Edgar Beale’s great-grandfather, and thus the works passed by descent to Edgar Beale and thence by descent to the present owner. Sold as lot 70, Australian Book Auctions, 21 August 2024

3 framed watercolour portraits, one of explorer Edmund Besley Court Kennedy (1818-1848) holding a telescope, and two of his partner, Margaret Murphy: one of her in a brown dress and the other with an unfinished dress outlined in pencil.

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

Annotation pasted onto verso of frame of unfinished portrait, "Miss Margaret Murphy. Executed by E.B.C. Kennedy, explorer. Received from Miss Barton, formerly Mrs F. Turner a friend of Kennedy's and with whom he always visited at 50, Macquarie St., Sydney."

Attributed by the vendor as a self-portrait by Edmund Besley Court Kennedy, (1818–1848), however Richard Neville, Mitchell Librarian, suggests these three works may have been painted by William Nicholas (1809-1854), based on known works of Nicholas which reflect a similar style, and sketches by Kennedy of a less refined style held at DL PX 83

Date based on information from Edgar Beale and vendor.