Norou-Gai-Derri s’avancant pour combattre.

An important full-length portrait of a named Port Jackson warrior, Norou-gal-derri, “advancing to do battle”.

Not simply a portrait but an ethnographic document of some importance, Petit has shown the adornments and weapons of a warrior in careful detail. The face and body paint is shown painstakingly, with Norou-gal-derri’s posture adapted to show both adornment and clothing to advantage. Furthermore his weaponry is shown as carried and handled by the Port Jackson warriors: he carries his “sagaïes de trait” (the long barbed spear or lance); and his “casse-tête”(literally ‘head-breaker’, a waddy) is tucked into the small of his back and held by his cord waist-band; his long narrow bark shield is shown with its internal decorated cross. Wantrup: Cat 84/ #62

Francois Peron’s ‘Voyage de Decouvertes aux Terre d’Australes’.

Collections:
British Museum: 2016,2024.4 |
National Gallery Australia: Accession no NGA 2013.4131.20
National Gallery Victoria: Accession Number 2010.96.26
National Museum Australia: 1995.0006.0034
State Library NSW: a2478029 /MRB F81/11