Artist William Nicholas trained in lithography and engraving in his native London before immigrating to New South Wales in 1836 – a period when growing numbers of free settlers and self-made types were beginning to create increased demand for art, especially portraits. By 1847 Nicholas was said to be 'the best portrait painter in watercolours in the colony', and that he had 'more heads offered to him for decapitation than he is able to take off'. This portrait of Alice Want, one of the nine children of solicitor and politician Randolph John Want (1811–1869), demonstrates how Nicholas combined the delicate stippling technique characteristic of miniature painting with the fluid gestures of larger watercolours to create portraits that were known for their 'remarkable correctness in drawing' as well as 'freedom in action and position, and their clearness of tone and high finish'. The work was gifted to the National Portrait Gallery by Alice's great-great grandchildren in 2008.
Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
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