In 1881, plucky Mary Stoddard won the Great Australian Christmas Card Competition and launched her long and brilliant career in the Sydney art scene. While colonial gentlemen usually didn’t take ‘lady artists’ terribly seriously, Mary’s mastery of the pen and brush, particularly when doing portraits of powerful men, commanded respect, praise and plenty more prizes. She was a true pioneer.

To hear the bonus episode 'The Day Australian Art Changed Forever', and get access to other exclusive shows, and get all episodes early and ad-free, become an Patreon or Apple supporter. Click here for a free trial that's easy to cancel if it's not for you:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

ABC Radio National Link to the interview about Federation:

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/nightlife/nightlife-history/106188548

To see Mary Stoddard and Catherine Devine’s postage stamp designs: 

https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/here_s-how-to-classify-the-1888-centenary-stamps-of-new-south-wa.html

To see Mary Stoddard’s design for the Melbourne Exhibition Certificate

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/253965

To see Mary Stoddard’s still life From Earth and Ocean

https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/5951/

To see Mary Stoddard’s portrait of Sir Henry Parkes:

https://education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/history-article/portraits/

To see the National Archives of Australia collection mentioned:

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/AdvSearchSeries.aspx

Then:

In the field ‘Series number’ type A1861.

On the next page, you’ll see 'Items in this series on Record Search - 9448'

Click 9448 – and on the next page order by ‘Digitised Item’.

Then click on whichever description takes your fancy.

Email: [email protected]

Want more original Australian true crime and history? Check out my books!

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.