Artist
Henry Mundy arrived in Hobart in 1831 and taught drawing, French and
music at Ellinthorp Hall, a school geared towards ‘the improvement of
Young Ladies’. Mundy thereby gained access to an aspirational,
socially-mobile clientele who sought portraits as a form of image
management. Susan Lord (c. 1792–1849) was the wife of former soldier
Thomas Daunt Lord, who came to Van Diemens Land as a free settler in
1825. From then until 1832, Thomas was commandant of the convict station
on Maria Island. Later, having been suspended from duty as a magistrate
on suspicion of misappropriating government property, he farmed at
Triabunna. Mundy married Thomas and Susan Lord’s eldest daughter,
Lavinia, his former student, in 1834. This portrait of Susan forms half
of the pair of paintings Mundy did of his parents-in-law. Elements such
as the drapery in the background and Susan’s jewellery, bonnet, ringlets
and lace collar help to project material comfort and respectability.
Despite
his ‘excellent taste and professional ability’, Mundy’s practice
gradually declined and exacerbated his alcoholism and depression. He
took an overdose of laudanum in a Hobart pub in March 1848, leaving
Lavinia and five children to ‘lament his untimely demise’.
Purchased 2015
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