Who painted Woureddy (d.1842)?

Woureddy (d.1842) was painted by Benjamin Duterrau in 1834.

Where can I see Woureddy (d.1842)?

Woureddy (d.1842) is held by British Museum.

Artwork

Woureddy (d.1842)

Woureddy (d.1842) is an oil painting by Benjamin Duterrau. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the British Museum. Created in 1834, this oil painting depicts a Tasmanian Aboriginal individual identified as Woureddy.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1834, this oil painting depicts a Tasmanian Aboriginal individual identified as Woureddy. The figure is presented standing, his dark skin contrasted by a shaggy red hair covering his face, a beaded necklace, and a cloak trimmed with fur. He holds a slender staff in his right hand, set against a muted, earth‑toned background that emphasizes his presence without elaborate scenery.

Subject & Meaning

Woureddy served as a guide and cultural liaison during the early years of European settlement in Tasmania, a role reflected in the dignified yet restrained portrayal. The composition foregrounds his identity through distinctive attire and accessories, suggesting both his personal status within his community and his intermediary position between Indigenous peoples and colonists.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work employs a restrained palette of browns, ochres, and muted reds, lending a subdued atmosphere. Duterrau’s brushwork renders the textures of the fur‑trimmed cloak and beaded necklace with careful attention, while the smooth modeling of the figure’s form conveys a quiet realism characteristic of early colonial portraiture.

History & Provenance

Painted by English‑born artist Benjamin Duterrau after his relocation to Tasmania, the piece entered the British Museum’s collection, where it remains on display. Duterrau was noted for documenting Aboriginal subjects and colonial events, and this portrait exemplifies his interest in recording the individuals who mediated early encounters between cultures.

Artist & collection

Artist

Benjamin Duterrau

Benjamin Duterrau (2 March 1767 – 11 July 1851) was an English painter, etcher, engraver, sculptor and art lecturer who emigrated to Tasmania. There he became known for his images of Indigenous people and Australian history paintings.

Museum

British Museum

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