Joseph Backler
Joseph was born in London in 1813, into a
respectable family. With his father being a painter, Joseph readily wanted to
follow in his footsteps.
At the age of 18 in 1831, Joseph, who was written by The Times (daily newspaper) to be ‘a highly respectable young man’, was sentenced to death for trying to illegally gain money through bank cheques. Lucky for Joseph, his sentence was changed to transportation. He arrived in Australia in 1832. The following year Joseph was sent to Port Macquarie as punishment for his suspected involvement in additional crimes within the colony.
Over the next 9 years, Joseph received constant punishment for his misbehaviour. However, he was provided the opportunity to paint at least six landscape oil representations of the settlement. Granted the permission needed to move to Sydney in 1843, Joseph went on to then advertise his services as a 'Portrait, Miniature and Landscape Painter, in oils and watercolours'. Prior to returning, Joseph married Margaret Magner in 1842. In 1882, following his travels around New South Wales and Queensland as a painter, Joseph focused on painting portraits and based his work on photography. With the death of his wife in 1852, he went on to marry Sarah Tincer soon after. Joseph died in 1895 and was regarded for his portrait oil paintings in early colonial Australia.
At the age of 18 in 1831, Joseph, who was written by The Times (daily newspaper) to be ‘a highly respectable young man’, was sentenced to death for trying to illegally gain money through bank cheques. Lucky for Joseph, his sentence was changed to transportation. He arrived in Australia in 1832. The following year Joseph was sent to Port Macquarie as punishment for his suspected involvement in additional crimes within the colony.
Over the next 9 years, Joseph received constant punishment for his misbehaviour. However, he was provided the opportunity to paint at least six landscape oil representations of the settlement. Granted the permission needed to move to Sydney in 1843, Joseph went on to then advertise his services as a 'Portrait, Miniature and Landscape Painter, in oils and watercolours'. Prior to returning, Joseph married Margaret Magner in 1842. In 1882, following his travels around New South Wales and Queensland as a painter, Joseph focused on painting portraits and based his work on photography. With the death of his wife in 1852, he went on to marry Sarah Tincer soon after. Joseph died in 1895 and was regarded for his portrait oil paintings in early colonial Australia.
For more information please visit the following website:
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/backler-joseph-12778
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/backler-joseph-12778