[Smith, William Mein] 1799-1869 :Helen's first home. [ca 1860]

[Smith, William Mein] 1799-1869 :Helen's first home. [ca 1860]
Date
1860
By
Smith, William Mein, 1799-1869
Reference
A-035-034
Description

A two-storied house with associated farm buildings, a garden in front, hills behind, native bush to the right. Possibly in the Wairarapa

The identity of 'Helen' has not been established. An early photographic file print of the watercolour was captioned 'Mrs Helen Russell's home' with the associated information that the home's owner was neither Mrs Thomas Purvis Russell, nor Mrs Henry Robert Russell.

However, it is likely that "Helen" is the daughter of William Mein Smith and Louisa. She was their first New Zealand born child. She married Robert Russell, a pastoralist, in 1859; and they later moved to England. According to 'New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian' newspaper dated 25 April1860, Helen gave birth to a daughter on 17 April at the residence of Captain W M Smith in Wairarapa. See https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZSCSG18600425.2.4

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour on paper 172 x 255 mm

Provenance: Artist's family.

Processing information: Record updated on 25 October 2023 with further information on the possible identity of "Helen".

Access restrictions
Partly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of original
Format
1 watercolour(s), Works of art, Watercolours, Watercolour on paper 172 x 255 mm, Orientation: Horizontal image
See original record

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Smith, William Mein, 1799-1869. [Smith, William Mein] 1799-1869 :Helen's first home. [ca 1860]. Ref: A-035-034. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23241783

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