Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook
BUNBURY, Major Thomas, 80th Regt. 1791–1861
BUNBURY, Major Thomas, 80th Regt. 1791–1861
As well as having the usual army officers' training in drawing, had studied drawing and painting in England 1818, in Paris under Manson 1822. 1840 came to New Zealand from New South Wales as Commander of the Armed Forces; at first stationed Bay of Islands but by end of 1840 settled in newly founded Auckland. When in 1843 the new Governor FitzRoy went south, Bunbury remained as Deputy Governor. After the signing of Treaty of Waitangi in Bay of Islands, Bunbury took Treaty south to gather signatures. Left for India 1844. While he was in Auckland in the first few months, a visitor, Lady Franklin, reported his whare lined with his own paintings, one a full length self portrait. His book Reminiscences of a Veteran, 1861 reproduces his work. Represented: AIML by watercolours.