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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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

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Fetteresso (Sir Robert Duff)

1883
Francois Verheyden, Vincent Brooks, Day & Son (lithographer) and Vanity Fair Magazine (publisher)

from the series ‘Vanity Fair’
chromolithograph on paper (sheet: 38.0 cm x 26.0 cm)

Sir Robert William Duff (1835–1895), governor, joined the Royal Navy at age thirteen and served for over 20 years, ultimately attaining the rank of commander. In the midst of this, he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member for Banffshire, fulfilling this role until being appointed Governor of New South Wales in March 1893. Within months of his arrival in Australia he became embroiled in a political dilemma when, having agreed to an act to redraw existing electoral rolls and boundaries, he assented to a request from the NSW Premier, Sir George Dibbs, to prorogue Parliament (thereby sparing Dibbs from being forced to resign). Duff was accused of partisanship by Sir Henry Parkes and was strongly chastised by the Colonial Office. Taken ill during a visit to Tasmania in early 1895, Duff returned to Sydney, where he died from a liver disorder and septicaemia in March. He was the first New South Wales governor to die in office.

The title of this work, Fetteresso, refers to the name of the Duff family estate in Kincardineshire, Scotland.

Purchased 2015

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

Francois Verheyden (age 40 in 1883)

Vincent Brooks, Day & Son

Vanity Fair Magazine

Sir Robert William Duff (age 48 in 1883)

Subject professions

Government and leadership

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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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