TAS: Watercolour collection sparks international search

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2004
TAS: Watercolour collection sparks international search

HOBART, Aug 4 AAP - The discovery in Tasmania of a collection of watercolours by a
little-known English artist has sparked an international search for their value and significance.

The 53 portraits painted by John Dempsey some 200 years ago were recently found tucked
away in a drawer at Hobart's Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).

TMAG trustee and Hobart Alderman, Dr John Freeman, said they depicted street people
in London in the 1790s and early 1800s.

The works came to light as the museum began moving some items to a new storage facility
at Rosny, on Hobart's eastern shore.

"They were donated to the museum in the `50s and because they are watercolours, which
are obviously works on paper, they are extremely delicate," he said.

"Nobody really knows who this painter was.

"They are unique in that they give an insight into the people at the time."

Alderman Freeman said TMAG senior curator David Hansen had been granted a fellowship
to travel to England in September to trace the origins of Dempsey's works.

The month-long expedition would include a visit to London's National Portrait Gallery.

"He's going to research in London to find out who this chap was and what the significance
of these works is," he said.

"At the moment, we really don't know what their significance is."

AAP las/drp

KEYWORD: DEMPSEY

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