Title

[Archbishop Polding presiding over the First Australian Provincial Council, 10-12 September 1844]. [matrix]

Date made

1844 – c.1845

Place made

Warrane / Sydney, New South Wales, Australia View on map Close map

Category

Matrix

Print type

intaglio

Technique

engraved copper plate

State

published state

Impression

undesignated impression as issued

Edition information

print-run unknown

Production notes

The engraving is based on a photograph. The numbers are not engraved, but punched onto the copper plate.

Subject description

'On 3 September 1844, on the occasion of the consecration of Francis Murphy as first Bishop of Adelaide, Archbishop John Bede Polding OSB, Metropolitan of the new Province of Sydney, convoked the First Provincial Council of Australia. It would be celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 10-12 September 1844, when all three bishops and most of the priests of the Province would be present.

The aims of the Council were to have unity among the bishops, uniformity of ecclesiastical policy and discipline across the whole mission, worthy Eucharistic and sacramental liturgies, clear guidance to priests on living blameless lives, an effective catechesis, conversion of unbelievers to the Catholic faith, and the correction of abuses.' [Peter Wilkinson, 2017]

Collection

National Gallery of Australia

IRN

211193

Accession number

2011.163

Accession method

Purchase

Meeting

Meeting 5, 2010/2011 (2011-04-28)

Provenance

Collection of Geoffret Ingleton (1908 - 1998), acquired from an unidentified vendor. With Lawsons Auctioneers, Sydney, 1999; Offered in, 'The Ingleton collection: Part 1 books, manuscripts, documents & collectibles', Sydney: Lawsons, 22 March 1999, lot 366, as 'Copperplates - Engraved (4) [etc]. With Australian Book Auctions, Melbourne? Purchased by the National Gallery of Australia from Peter Walker Fine Art, Adelaide, April 2011.

Credit line

Purchased 2011

Last Updated

03 Jul 2026