Tom
ROBERTS
England
1856
–
Kallista
1931 AD
Australia from 1869; England, Europe 1881- 85, 1903-23
82.0 (h) x 32.8 (w) cm
Signed and dated lower right in pastel, 'Tom Roberts / 1898'. Titled centre left in pastel, 'Mrs J St V. Welch' [t in superscript].
Reference: Topliss (1985), 295 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra NGA 1976.259 Purchased 1976
Emily St Vincent Welch (neé Thackeray) (1850–1927) was said to be an accomplished musician. During a visit to their home with Frederick McCubbin, Roberts made this drawing and also painted a portrait of her husband, John St Vincent Welch. He was a businessman who worked for the Australian Assurance Company, but importantly was also an early trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The couple entertained many artists at their home.
