J. I. B. b. 1822

Also known as Fr John Ignatius Bleasdale
  • Artist (Painter)
Jesuit priest who pursued cultural interests along with his commitment to the natural sciences. There is some suggestion that he is the J.I.B who signed four watercolour landscapes of Tasmania in 1851.

sketcher, made four landscape watercolours in Tasmania in 1851, including From Sandy Bay , View in Tasmania and On the Derwent opposite the Government Cottage, New Norfolk (National Library of Australia). Miles Lewis has suggested that the artist may be Fr John Ignatius Bleasdale (1822-84), a Jesuit priest resident in Victoria from 1851 who could have painted the views en route from England to his first Australian mission at Geelong. No paintings have been attributed to Bleasdale, but he was a cultured man – and an outstanding natural scientist. He was a commissioner for Australia’s first Intercolonial Exhibition, held at Melbourne in 1866-67, and a trustee of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery.

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Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1992
Last updated:
2011