New Zealand artist, born in Ipswich, England. By 1865 he was in the Auckland district and was married on 4 March 1865 at Onehunga to Sarah Elizabeth Philip (b 1847). He served in the Armed Constabulary. He did oil paintings of the thermal region and pencil, wash, and watercolour sketches of the Onehunga area and other parts of Auckland. By the 1890s he was a fulltime artist and sketched scenes of New Zealand and Australia, as well as making studies of birds and insects (some dated ca 1881). Some of the paintings he sold were on shells, or on small postcard-sized board. He was listed in Wises Trades Directory as an artist, 1896-1897, address Newton Road, Auckland. He died in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay on 6 October, 1908. Buried at Wairoa. (See also Una Platts' "Nineteenth century NZ artists" (1980), and Kate McGahey's "Concise dictionary of NZ artists (2000)).
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Backhouse, John Philemon 1843-1908 :Crested shrike N S Wales. 15/8/ [18]73
Date: 1873
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Birds, mostly Australian] 1873
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: B-107-031
Description: An Australian shrike Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 230 x 319 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Russell, Bay of Islands, from the beach. 1.9.[18]76.
Date: 1876
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Sketchbook [of New Zealand views. 1871-1876].
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; Hamblett, Irene Beatrix, 1915-1995
Reference: E-400-f-017
Description: Shows the beach with line of houses along the shore, and jetty at far end. On verso of E-400-f-016. Inscriptions: Recto - top centre - [Title]; Recto - bottom left - [Signature and date]. Appears to be the preliminary drawing for Backhouse's watercolour [View of Russell] 1881 (E-052-q-009) Quantity: 1 drawing(s) in sketchbook.. Physical Description: Pencil, 261 x 370 mm.
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Manukau Harbour from Onehunga to the Heads from th...
Date: 1977 - 1871
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: C-079-049-a
Description: A panoramic view across undulating volcanic hills towards Manukau Harbour. A man in a Scots bonnet stands in the right foreground. A goat stands in the left foreground. A church and a few scattered houses can be seen in the middle distance Reproduced from pen and wash drawings in Backhouse sketchbook, 1870-1871, for the centenary of Onehunga. Limited edition of 250 copies The sketchbook, on loan to the Onehunga Public Library, was donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1989 Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph, 249 x 707 mm
[Backhouse, John Philemon], 1845-1908 :Whakarewarewa. [Painting on shell. 1870-1880s].
Date: 1870 - 1889
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; New Zealand. Department of External Affairs
Reference: Curios-013-005-1
Description: Painting on a shell, showing a whare in the right foreground, a pool, and steaming ground beyond it. Several figures stand within the scene. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s) on shell. Physical Description: Gouache? on shell, 125 x 115 mm (irreg) Provenance: Presented through the External Affairs Department; previously on display at a New Zealand House (London) exhibition in 1956.
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Arrival of the cutter 'Pai Mariri' in the Matakohe...
Date: 1977 - 1870
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: C-079-046-a
Description: Looking across the Kaipara Harbour and Matakohe River to a small cutter on the water. There are houses on the crest of a hill in the middle distance. Two men stand on shore in the foreground Reproduced from pen and wash drawings in Backhouse sketchbook, 1870-1871, for the centenary of Onehunga. Limited edition of 250 copies The sketchbook, on loan to the Onehunga Public Library, was donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1989 Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph, 251 x 350 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1843-1908 :Bearded flycatcher, N S Wales. 23/7/ [18]73
Date: 1873
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Birds, mostly Australian] 1873
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: B-107-029
Description: Australian bird Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 229 x 320 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Australasian birds; original drawings. 1867. [ca 18...
Date: 1880 - 1867 - 1881
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918
Reference: E-055
Description: Australian birds only (all except one identified). Some dated 1880, one dated 1881, and an unidentified sea bird dated 1867 Contents in front of volume Quantity: 30 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, 30 sketches blue morocco Provenance: Collection of Alexander Turnbull.
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Pink Terrace. [188-?]; and, White Terrace. [188-?].
Date: 1880 - 1890
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; New Zealand. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Manatū Aorere
Reference: G-229
Description: Both general scenic views, one of Pink Terrace, one of White Terrace. Pink Terrace shows canoe in lake below, with three occupants, and one figure standing on lowest level of terrace. White Terrace shows view from one of lowest bathing pools, with 5 figures bathing, and one seated figure in red cloak, one standing with staff, in foreground. Backing board has inscription. "Property of the Ministry of External Relations & Trade New Zealand / 2478, 2479..." Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - [Title]; Recto - bottom left - J P B. Quantity: 2 oil(s). Physical Description: Oils, each 70 x 120 mm (sight) Provenance: Donation by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, June 1995.
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Old blockhouse at the Whau, Manukau Harbour, Auckl...
Date: 1977 - 1871
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: C-079-048-a
Description: Looking across a bay and up a hill towards the shape of a small blockhouse. Three Maori and a war canoe are onshore in the foreground Reproduced from pen and wash drawings in Backhouse sketchbook, 1870-1871, for the centenary of Onehunga. Limited edition of 250 copies The sketchbook, on loan to the Onehunga Public Library, was donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1989 Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph, 251 x 350 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Riverside township, probably Hamilton] 21 / 2 / [1...
Date: 1881
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: B-107-002
Description: Shows township beside wide river, with paddle-steamer at wharf, horses and people being transported across river on pontoon cf his Riverside settlement with tents and hut, 1881, in E-058-002 Supplied title Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 145 x 203 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :L[ake] Taupo. [Painting on shell. 1870-1889].
Date: 1870 - 1889
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; New Zealand. Department of External Affairs
Reference: Curios-013-005-2
Description: Painting on a shell, showing a section of Lake Taupo with a whare in the right foreground, a waka on the water near the shore, and the Central Plateau peaks behind, with Mt Ngauruhoe steaming. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - JB Quantity: 1 watercolour(s) on shell. Physical Description: Gouache? on shell, 155 x 150 mm (irreg) Provenance: Presented through the External Affairs Department; previously on display at a New Zealand House (London) exhibition in 1956.
Backhouse, John Philemon 1843-1908 :Magpie lark, Victoria. 29/7/ [18]73
Date: 1873
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Birds, mostly Australian] 1873
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: B-107-035
Description: An Australian bird Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 230 x 320 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Cape Howe, coast of Australia. 2.12.[18]71.
Date: 1871
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Sketchbook [of New Zealand views. 1871-1876].
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; Hamblett, Irene Beatrix, 1915-1995
Reference: E-400-f-005
Description: Shows view of the cape with lighthouse, from the sea. On verso of right hand side of E-400-f-002. Possibly from a photograph. This is dated the same day as a view of Williamstown from St Kilda Beach in the heart of Melbourne. The artist may have needed to be on a fast boat to voyage this far. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - J.P.B. / 2.12.71 Quantity: 1 watercolour(s) in sketchbook.. Physical Description: Ink and monochrome wash, 261 x 370 mm.
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Sketchbook [of New Zealand views. 1871-1876].
Date: 1871 - 1876
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; Hamblett, Irene Beatrix, 1915-1995
Reference: E-400-f
Description: Contains scenes from Thames goldfield, Manukau Harbour, ships and mills in the Auckland area. Donated with 36 watercolours, at B-107-001/035. Inscriptions: Most works entitled and signed. Quantity: 1 sketchbook(s). Physical Description: 16 monochrome wash, 2 pencil and watercolour, size averaging 260 x 370 mm. Finding Aids: Shelflist/inventory available..
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Township of East Hamilton, Waikato, in 1865. 17.3.[...
Date: 1865 - 1871
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Sketchbook [of New Zealand views. 1871-1876].
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908; Hamblett, Irene Beatrix, 1915-1995
Reference: E-400-f-013
Description: Shows view of small township seen from the river, where a boat and barge are working. Town comprises a string of small dwellings, a small enclosed ?camp, and a two-storeyed building at right of picture. On verso of E-400-f-012. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - J.P.B. / 17.3.71; Recto - bottom left - [Title] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s) in sketchbook.. Physical Description: Ink and monochrome wash, 261 x 370 mm.
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Small wooden pier. ca 1880]
Date: 1880
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Australasian views [New Zealand scenes] [ca 1880]
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: E-052-q-016
Description: Shows a small wooden pier with boating in background, probably on the Waikato River Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and chinese white on paper, 168 x 138 mm mounted into sketchbook
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Arrival of the cutter 'Pai Mariri' in the Matakohe...
Date: 1977 - 1870
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: C-079-046
Description: Looking across the Kaipara Harbour and Matakohe River to a small cutter on the water. There are houses on the crest of a hill in the middle distance. Two men stand on shore in the foreground Reproduced from pen and wash drawings in Backhouse sketchbook, 1870-1871, for the centenary of Onehunga. Limited edition of 250 copies The sketchbook, on loan to the Onehunga Public Library, was donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1989 Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph, 251 x 350 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Mouse snipe, Victoria and Dun coot, Victoria. 19. 1...
Date: 1873
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Birds, mostly Australian] 1873
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: B-107-012
Description: Three Australian birds Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 230 x 319 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon 1843-1908 :Yellow eared Honey-eater, Victoria. 18/8/ [18]73
Date: 1873
From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Birds, mostly Australian] 1873
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: B-107-034
Description: An Australian bird Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 230 x 320 mm
Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Old mill near Mt Eden, Onehunga Road, Auckland, N....
Date: 1977 - 1871
By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908
Reference: C-079-047-a
Description: The Bycroft mill on the brow of a hill, with two houses, fences and scattered trees Reproduced from pen and wash drawings in Backhouse sketchbook, 1870-1871, for the centenary of Onehunga. Limited edition of 250 copies The sketchbook, on loan to the Onehunga Public Library, was donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1989 Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph, 251 x 350 mm