Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Matthew Flinders, 1801

Matthew Flinders, 1801

Watercolour on ivory miniature
Presented by Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie, 1922
MIN 52

This miniature was painted after Flinders was promoted to commander in February 1801, but before the Investigator left England in July. It shows him in a commander's uniform, displaying that rank's single epaulet on the left shoulder. It was probably painted for his wife, Ann Chappelle, whom he married in April 1801. Ann's sister, Isabella Tyler, remembered him as 'chin rather projecting, his lips thin and compressed, nose inclining to aquiline, noble brow hair dark almost black - eyes dark, bright and commanding.'

Flinders’ account of his circumnavigation of the Australian continent on board HMS Investigator was published on Monday 18 July 1814. A Voyage to Terra Australis, included maps and coastal profiles of his explorations.


Flinders died on Tuesday 19 July (the day after his account of his circumnavigation of Australia was published) at the age of 40, leaving behind his wife Ann and two-year old daughter Anne.


This miniature was retained by Ann Flinders when Matthew left England on Investigator in July 1801.