Bungaree was born around 1775 in Broken Bay, New South Wales and died at Garden Island (some 93 kilometres away) on 24 November 1830. His adventures between these two dates were characterised by courage, intelligence, negotiation and love. His ability to adapt to vast changes and the overhaul of his country’s way of life was in part, his strength of strengths. A leader among the Broken Bay peoples and the first to be described as ‘Australian’ in print, Bungaree was given the token title of ‘Chief of the Broken Bay Tribe’ by the British newcomers. His flamboyant and comical disposition won over their hearts, eventually enabling him to recoup land in 1815 later dubbed Bungaree’s Farm. Bungaree’s standing in both communities made him an obvious candidate for portraits and several early colonial artists of note created images of him. He also appeared in the work of expedition artists such as Louis-Auguste de Sainson, a member of Dumont d’Urville’s 1826–1829 Astrolabe voyage.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018
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