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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Australian Cricket (George John Bonnor)

1884
Carlo Pellegrini, Vincent Brooks, Day & Son (lithographer) and Vanity Fair Magazine (publisher)

from the series ‘Vanity Fair’
chromolithograph on paper (sheet: 38.0 cm x 26.5 cm)

George Bonnor (1855–1912), cricketer, made his debut for Australia in the first official Test match between Australia and England, held at The Oval in September 1880. The so-called ‘Australian Hercules’ and ‘Bathurst Giant’ – he was six foot six and weighed seventeen stone – started playing club cricket in Sydney in the late 1870s and represented both Victoria and New South Wales at state level. In all, he played seventeen Test matches for Australia and was a member of the side that defeated England at The Oval in August 1882, initiating ‘The Ashes’ Test series. Bonnor was noted for his fielding, specifically his ability to throw a cricket ball a distance of 100 yards, and was also considered the game’s biggest hitter, on one occasion in 1880 hitting the ball so high that he completed three runs before being caught out. He retired from first class cricket in 1891, having scored 4,820 runs at an average of 21.23. He died in Orange, New South Wales, in June 1912, one obituary describing him as ‘one of the most attractive figures seen on any cricket field in the world. For a man of such gigantic proportion his activity was astounding’.

Purchased 2013

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Carlo Pellegrini (age 46 in 1884)

Vincent Brooks, Day & Son

Vanity Fair Magazine

George Bonnor (age 29 in 1884)

Subject professions

Sports and recreation

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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