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.
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
Twice rebelled against, and twice vindicated, William Bligh occupies an ambivalent space in Australian history. Angus Trumble, former Director of the National Portrait Gallery, explains.
Video credits: ‘Brandenburg Concerto No 3’ by Bach performed by Advent Chamber Orchestra.
William Bligh was one of the most extraordinary products of the 18th century Royal Navy, and unfortunatley his life was overshadowed by two extraordinary experiences: the mutiny aboard the Bounty; then the 3,600 nautical mile journey in an open boat from the point at which he was ejected from HMS Bounty to landfall on Timor, navigating entirely by the stars. Quite an extraordinary achievement. And then the insurrection that he faced as fourth governor of New South Wales, the so called “Rum Rebellion” of 1808. In both cases Bligh was vindicated by their Lordships of the Admiralty, and in due course promoted. But the experiences clearly affected him.
Since 1808, each and every phase of our history has brought forth an aspect of William Bligh that seems apposite to the day. The martinet, the tyrant, versus the gentleman, an officer of the Royal Navy. This William Bligh is none of those at all. This is Bligh at the age of 25. A very ambitious young man, highly skilled in cartography and navigation, who was hand-picked by James Cook to go aboard The Resolution together with the artist John Webber.
So it is that we find Bligh, Cook, and the artist John Webber all together on the same ship, and that’s given rise to the attribution of this painting to John Webber.
Drop into the Gallery any time for free creative activities inspired by artist Thom Roberts and his exhibition, The Immersive World of Thom Roberts.
Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.
David Hansen’s tribute to his close friend, prince of words and former National Portrait Gallery director, the late Angus Trumble.
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.
The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency
