What do you know about the portrait of Esther Abrahams?

Journal article

---

In Journal Issue

Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 26, 4 (2024)

Author(s) Jana Vytrhlik AbstractTo the Jewish community in Australia, Esther Abrahams (1767–1846) needs no introduction. The story of a young and apparently Jewish woman from London who was sentenced to transportation in 1786, and later became the ‘first lady’ in the early colony, has been told and scrutinised many times. The portrait that depicted her as a respectable Mrs Esther Johnston was painted much later. It has been provisionally attributed to one of the best known early colonial painters and became an iconic image of Australian Jewish history. We are familiar with Esther’s sharp eyes and slight smile under the ruffled white bonnet, yet the portrait’s provenance and whereabouts were hardly ever questioned. This article reviews the core historical details of Esther’s life and discusses the discovery of the original painting, and other family memorabilia in the least expected location.
Year2024
Pages490-506
Keyword(s)convicts and early settlers;Esther Abrahams;Arts Jewish portrait;Trevor Kennedy Collection;National Museum of Australia