The silhouette artist, lithographer and draughtsman William Fernyhough began working at J. G. Austin's printing firm in 1836. His first production for Austin was a Series of Twelve Profile Portraits of the Aborigines of New South Wales, released as a set for 10s 6d in September of that year and remaining in print until the 1840s. It was suggested that these would make 'a pretty present to friends in England as characteristic of this country.' The historian Richard Neville has observed that the silhouettes were not intended as caricatures; rather, these supposedly faithful likenesses would allow English buyers, in particular, to examine the individuals portrayed in the light of current phrenological and physiological theories.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Robert Edwards AO 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
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