@timritchie Colonial artist #S_T_Gill pictured work underway at the Argyle Cut (probably 1850s). He was in Sydney and NSW from 1856 to 1863. #historySydney
From Mitchell Library, #StateLibraryNSW https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/1JkmDm5Y/ywy22rggL4d6E
New find: it appears George French Angas trimmed the left edges of two paintings to remove S T Gill's signature for his 1846 London exhibition. Paintings considered to be Angas's best, evidence shows, are actually by Gill. In this new overview I examine Gill's work for and relationship with Angas, 1844 to 1852. Gill as ghost artist. Much praise bestowed on Angas has rightly belonged to #S_T_Gill. #colonialArt #historyAU #artHistoryAU #ozGLAM #catalogueRaisonne
My new article: https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/S_T_Gill_artist_for_George_French_Angas.htm
I did say my #S_T_Gill project would "further rock the art history boat, not by intent, but because that's where the evidence takes us". So here's the extra rock ...
Big claims need big evidence. My new article adds to the pile, showing despite his claim to his London publisher, George French Angas likely didn't go to the Victorian diggings in 1852 at all.
Pivotal to this story is Charles Lord for whom Angas had great affection. A quick trip to Melbourne by the pair landed Angas in the middle of gold rush lithography.
NARRATIVE, ANALYSIS & CATALOGUE. (Not light reading. Analysis only made possible by digitised newspapers.) #historyAU #artHistoryAU #TroveAU #ozGLAM
My new article: https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/George_French_Angas_Victorian_Diggings_1852.htm
The weight of evidence is against Angas' presence at the Victorian diggings. He visited Gill in Melbourne in August 1852 and again used Gill's pictures for his own publication. This further cements the role of Gill as a ghost artist for Angas.
Sasha Grishin described it as "an iconic image for the Australian gold rushes". "Diggers on way to Bendigo" was a frequent subject of S T Gill's picturing gold diggers on the road. Sometimes thought to show leaving #Melbourne for the goldfields. But it most likely represents diggers moving on from one diggings (Forest Creek, near #Castlemaine) to better prospects at another (#Bendigo). #historyAU #colonialArtAU
My new article on #S_T_Gill pictures (7) on this subject from 1852 to 1872: https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/S_T_Gill_Subject_Diggers_on_way.htm
Anachronisms are often the downfall for a fake painting.
This week I came across evidence that the object pictured in an "1845" painting was only made in 1854. #S_T_Gill #Adelaide #artHistoryAU
New paragraph for article: https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/S_T_Gill_Scott_Fakes_and_Adelaide_Signatures.htm#1936SkipperSignboard
Several 'Gill' watercolours surfaced in the 1890s with connections to amateur artist Margaret Cochrane Scott nee Little and daughter journalist Winnifred 'Magpie' Scott. Two were fake. These and others had the uncommon 'STG Adelaide' signatures.
David Coombe
