Title

Mr. Conway Hart's Studio.

Author

The Courier.

Details

The Courier (Hobart), 24 October 1855, page 3, column 2.

Publication date

24 October 1855

Type

Article

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

MR. CONWAY HART’S STUDIO.

We dropped into Mr. Conway Hart's Studio this morning, and were highly delighted with the result of our inspection, but more particularly at the portrait of Richard Dry, Esquire, late Speaker of our Legislative Council, which Mr. Hart has painted in accordance with the resolution of the Council.

The picture is of Bishop's whole length size, namely, nine feet by six, and Mr. Dry, in his robes as Sneaker, is represented as just advancing from the chair to read a Vice-Regal message to the House.

Words would fail to convey a just impression of the accuracy of the portiait, or the faithfulness of the details; we must content ourselves by stating that Mr. Hart has not only presented us with an admirable individual likeness of Mr. Dry, but has shown us the man by showing his actions. It is the production of works of this character to grace the walls of our public, institutions which will raise the art-genius of the colony and spread the elements of excellence among us.
Another (smaller) portrait of the same gentleman is surmounted by a graceful and beautiful likeness of his accomplished lady, a glance at which will gratify every lover of the art. The excellencies of the subject have given a charm to the pencil, and leads us to despair, even if Mr. Hart were spared for a triple lifetime, whether he could exhibit a production of far higher attainment.

The captivating effects of Mr. Hart's gallery are not, however, confined to these individual portraits ; besides Mrs. Allport, Mrs. Roope, Mrs. C. Butler, and other ladies who have appreciated Mr. Hart's works and condescended to sit, there are other likenesses of our leading men, amongst which is one of T. D. Chapman, Esq, the hon, member for Hobart Town. It is difficult when you perceive the late Speaker on the one hand, and Mr. Chapman on the other, to conceive that the checquered Parliamentary experiences of the last few months have not been a dream. The sunny countenance of the Lord of Sunnyside appears before us; his heart with freedom swelling, as often witnessed in the Chamber
We feel ourselves upon the verge of a rhapsodical feeling, which would not become the gravity of the subject, and we are therefore constrained to conclude this notice with a strict injunction to the fashionable world to visit Mr. Hart's chambers, where they will find much to interest and delight them.

[The Courier (Hobart), 24 October 1855, p.3, col.2.]
 

Last Updated

03 Oct 2020