Provenance"Bronzewing" was built in 1873 on the river Huon in Tasmania by Hawkins Brothers. It arrived in Port Adelaide in June 1873 when it was bought by A Russell. In 1874 the vessel was sold to WH Bunoy, then to captain J Blanch in 1897. It was probably while "Bronzewing" was working in South Australia that it came to the attention of the artist George Bourne. An itinerant painter with a varied career Bourne painted in South Australia in the 1880s and in Western Australia between 1897 and 1910."Bronzewing" was wrecked at King Island, Bass Strait in 1914. The painting was acquired by Harold Godfey and donated to the South Australian Maritime Museum by Lorna Godfrey.SignificanceA finely drawn watercolour painting of the ketch "Bronzewing". Built in 1873 on the river Huon in Tasmania, "Bronzewing" was well known in South Australian ports which is where it most probably came to the attention of the artist George Bourne. His work is typical of professional ships painters who often worked in fast drying watercolours to produce and sell artworks to mariners and their families. A genre that flourished at a time when many Australians had experienced maritime voyages.DescriptionWatercolour painting of ketch Bronzewing by G. Bourne. Depicts fully rigged, two masted ketch at sea. Gulls, cliffs, three masted vessel in background. If painting is displayed, Museum must credit ' Gift from harold Godfrey'.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of CreationDate of UsageAccession NumberHT 2014.0609
