Thomas Bock’s Notes on Photography

Thomas Bock’s notes on photography, including Talbot’s calotype process and daguerreotype manipulations, have recently been digitised by Libraries Tasmania.

Thomas Bock (1790-1855), artist and engraver, was born at Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, England. In April 1823, he was found guilty of administering drugs to a young woman with intent to cause miscarriage, and was sentenced to transportation for fourteen years.

He arrived in Hobart Town in January 1824, and was assigned to the naval officer, Dr. Edward Bromley. Excellent conduct earned him a conditional pardon in 1832, followed by a free pardon.

Bock’s career as an engraver and portrait painter did not stop with his transportation to Van Diemen’s Land, and he established a highly successful practice as Hobart’s most sought after portrait artist, and painted the portraits of many wealthy individuals. Lady Jane Franklin commissioned Bock to paint portraits of some Tasmanian Aboriginal people, including Mathinna.

His art practice was diverse, incorporating photography into his later years, making daguerreotype studio portraits from 1848. Thomas Bock worked from his studio at 22 Campbell Street, Hobart. He died in Hobart on 18 March 1855, buried at Holy Trinity Church.

Ref: ALL34/1/1 (Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts)