World’s first exhibition
One of Australia’s most talented yet least-known artists will finally emerge from the archives when the State Library of NSW stages the first retrospective exhibition of the work of Charles Rodius (1802–1860), opening this Saturday, 17 June 2023.
Over 90 original watercolours, drawings and prints – many never seen by Australian audiences – from public and private collections in Australia and the UK, including the Library’s own unrivalled collection, will come together in this ambitious exhibition simply titled Charles Rodius.
According to Mitchell Librarian Richard Neville: “Rodius was highly-trained, with a talent equal to that of his famous contemporary Conrad Martens, but his work was rejected by the art world and his name has almost vanished from art history.”
“In the 20th century, his exquisite portraits were considered of more historical than artistic interest, and many were transferred from the Art Gallery of New South Wales to the Library. Now we have the opportunity to shine a spotlight on this intriguing artist whose artistic and musical achievements were reported in the newspapers of the day.”
Rodius trained as a draughtsman and printmaker in Paris, and later, in London, appears to have supplemented his meagre income as an artist and language teacher with petty theft; in 1829 he was transported to New South Wales for stealing a lady’s handbag at the opera. He worked for a short time for the Colonial Architect’s office, and resumed his portraiture and teaching work after being granted a ticket-of-leave in 1832.
Rodius’s sitters included people from all walks of life, and both sides of the law, as well as recognisable ‘public characters’ such as Garigal leader Bungaree, the eccentric ferryman Billy Blue, explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and a young Henry Parkes.
"He did well selling cheap prints to the gossipy and image-starved Sydney community,” said the exhibition’s guest curator, Dr David Hansen.
“Visitors will be fascinated by Rodius’s striking portraits, particularly those of First Nations people, and will be able to see the development of Rodius’s works from first sketches through to formal finished drawings and lithographic prints,” says Dr Hansen.