Richard Atherton Ffarington b. 23 December 1823

  • Artist (Draughtsman),
  • Artist (Painter)
Ffarington recorded the natural world of Western Australia and its indigenous inhabitants while serving with the 51st Regiment in Western Australia bewteen 1843-47. His sketches and watercolours include competent scenes of the coast, but of far more importance are his drawing and watercolours of the daily activites of the local Aboriginal people.
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creator of
Returning home after the hunt; Kangaroo catch
Medium
watercolour over pencil underdrawing, 26.4 x 17.1 cm.
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4486/not-titled-returning-home-after-the-hunt

For a full description of this work and the preparatory drawing ,1984/00W4.17, see Dufour, G. and Tilbrook, L. (1986), pp. 20-21.

Note: State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.3.
 
creator of
Perth, West Australia, on Swan river
Medium
watercolour and pencil, 17.2 x 26.6 (sheet & image)
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4497/perth-west-australia-on-swan-river

For a full description of the view depicted see Dufour, G. and Tilbrook, L. (1986), p. 33.
The schooner is clearing Mill Point sailing towards Perth. The slopes of Mt. Eliza are visible to the left (west). Until the introduction of rail the most economical and efficient mode of transport for both goods and people was the Swan River. It was comfortable and the swiftest form of transport between the three emerging settlements.

Note: State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.14.
 
creator of
Fremantle in Western Australia: Rottnest Island, the Proposed New Convict Establishment in the Distance
Date
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/19435/ffaringtons-sketchbook-folio
 
creator of
Fishing near a wreck; Aborigines plundering the wreck if the William Wise
Date
Medium
watercolour and pencil, 26.4 x 17 cm
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4492/not-titled-fishing-near-a-wreck-aborigines-plundering-the-wreck-of-the-william-wise

For a full description of this work see Dufour, G. and Tilbrook, L. (1986) p. 33.
The Perth Gazette reported the William Wise, a coastal trader, having foundered in 1847.

Note: State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.9.
 
creator of
Perth, Swan River as Viewed from Melville Waters
Date
Medium
watercolour
URL
https://searchthecollection.nga.gov.au/object/204580?keyword=ffarington&includeParts

This work is the preparatory sketch in w/c for the larger finished watercolour “Perth, West Australia. on Swan River” in the State Art Collection, Art Gallery of western Australia. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.14.

 
creator of
Bunbury Western Australia 120' from Perth
Date
Medium
watercolour and pencil, 17.2 x 26.6 (sheet & image)
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4494/bunbury-western-australia-120-from-perth

For a full description of the view depicted see Dufour, G. and Tilbrook, L. (1986), p. 33.

Note: State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.11.
 
creator of
King George's Sound
Date
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4493/king-george-sound

For an analysis of the compositional structure and its relationship to the 'Claudian’ formula see Dufour, Gary (1986) pp. 5-6. ill. in colour.

Note: watercolour and pencil, 17 x 26.5 cm (sheet & image) THe State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchased 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.10. https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4493/king-george-sound
 
creator of
Possuming, An Aborigine notching a tree
Date
Medium
watercolour over pencil underdrawing, 26.4 x 17.1 cm The State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.4.
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4487/not-titled-possuming-an-aborigine-notching-a-tree

This watercolour depicts a Kodz axe definitively linking the whole folio to Western Australia. Pivotal to obtaining a special grant from the Government of Western Australia to purchase Ffarington’s Folio.
Stone axes were used throughout Australia, but the construction of the kodz axe was restricted to the southwest region of the continent. See Dufour/Tilbrook (1986) pp. 25-26 for more extensive information.

Note: note use of 'Kodz Axe'
 
creator of
Possuming, An Aborigine notching a tree
Date
Medium
pencil 22 x 14.2 cm The State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.18.
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4501/not-title-possuming-an-aborigine-notching-a-tree

This drawing depicts a Kodz axe definitively linking the whole folio to Western Australia. Pivotal to obtaining a special grant from the Government of Western Australia to purchase Ffarington’s Folio.
Stone axes were used throughout Australia, but the construction of the kodz axe was restricted to the south west region. See Dufour/Tilbrook (1986) pp. 25-26 for more extensive information.

Note: note use of 'Kodz Axe'
 
creator of
Corroboree
Date
Medium
watercolour and pencil, 26.6 x 17.1 cm (sheet / image)
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4488/not-titled-corroboree
Note: State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.5.
 
creator of
Aboriginal camp
Date
Medium
watercolour and pencil, 26.4 x 17.1 cm (sheet & image)
URL
https://collection.artgallery.wa.gov.au/objects/4491/not-titled-aboriginal-camp

For a full ethnographic analysis of this watercolour and its preparatory drawing, 1984/00W4.20, see Dufour, G. and Tilbrook, L. (1986) pp. 26-27.

Note: State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia, purchase 1984. Acc. no. 1984/00W4.18.
 
creator of
Rum and Man Coming on board at the Cape of Good Hope
Date
 
creator of
Convicts Boxing on board the Somersetshire
Date
 
creator of
Convict Being Flogged at Sea
Date
 

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Residences
  • 1855 England
  • 1847 - 1855 Calcutta, India
  • 1841 - 1843 Sydney, NSW ( In 1843 Ffarington returned to London aboard the ‘Trusty', purchased a commission of Lieutenant and set sail for Western Australia via Launceston, Tasmania, aboard the 'Champion' with his wife Ellen Julia Rowes.)
  • 1843 - 1847 Western Australia (Lieutenant Ffarington served as an Ensign with the 51st Regiment in WA. The 51st Regiment maintained stations in south west Australis at the following locations: King George Sound, Kojonup, Bunbury, Williams, Leschenault, Pinjarra, and Rottnest. Ffarington is recorded to have been granted four suburban lots in Perth in 1845. There is also a record of the birth of three children between 1843 and 1847.)
  • 1855 England
  • May 1847 - 1855 Calcutta, India
  • 1841 - 1843 Sydney, NSW ( In 1843 Ffarington returned to London aboard the ‘Trusty', purchased a commission of Lieutenant and set sail for Western Australia via Launceston, Tasmania, aboard the 'Champion' with his wife Ellen Julia Rowes.)
  • July 1843 - 13 March 1847 Western Australia (Lieutenant Ffarington served as an Ensign with the 51st Regiment in WA. The 51st Regiment maintained stations in south west Australis at the following locations: King George Sound, Kojonup, Bunbury, Williams, Leschenault, Pinjarra, and Rottnest. Ffarington is recorded to have been granted four suburban lots in Perth in 1845. There is also a record of the birth of three children between 1843 and 1847.)
Related people
  • Ffarington, William (child of)
  • Ffarington, Frances Ann (child of)
  • Ffarington, Joseph (relative of)
  • Ffarington, Ellen Julia (spouse of)
  • Ffarington, William (child of)
  • Ffarington, Frances Ann (child of)
  • Ffarington, Joseph (relative of)
  • Ffarington, Ellen Julia (spouse of)
Indigenous notes