Who’d have thought that so much mystery and misunderstanding would surround one of Australia’s most admired pioneering figures?
Undated, untitled portrait in oil, by unknown artist, assumed to be Elizabeth Macarthur, held in the Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales.
Though often regarded as one of a pair, her portrait was painted by an unknown artist – possibly in England – in the 19th century, several years apart from its companion piece – the large oil of John Macarthur. At the time of being painted, the ‘subjects’ John and Elizabeth Macarthur were living in Australia. The paintings depict them at the age of about 30 – 40 years old, dating them roughly (if we are to assume they are in fact John and Elizabeth Macarthur) to the years 1810-1820. Its unlikely the Macarthurs ever saw these paintings or even knew of their existence. Read More »
These stunning photographs, taken by an unknown builder, document the conservation of roofing timbers, shingles and iron at Elizabeth Farm in the early 1980s. They were culled from the vast Public Works Department archives, now in the museum collection.
HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST
In 1981, roofing workers carefully peeled back layers of corrugated tin, patched and mended for well over a century, Read More »
