William Dexter facts for kids

William Dexter (1818–1860) was an English artist who became a painter in Australia. He was known for his beautiful paintings and for trying new things in the art world.

William Dexter: Artist and Adventurer

Early Life and Artistic Training

William Dexter was born in 1818 in a place called Melbourne, in Derbyshire, England. When he was young, he started learning to paint at the Derby China factory. He became an apprentice, which means he learned a skill by working with experienced artists. At the factory, he painted delicate flowers and birds on china, often in Chinese and Japanese styles.

Later, William traveled to Paris, France, to study art even more. When he returned to England, he married Caroline Harper in 1843. William was a talented artist, and his paintings were shown at the famous Royal Academy exhibition in London in both 1851 and 1852.

Journey to Australia

In 1852, William Dexter decided to move to Australia. He sailed all the way from England and arrived in Sydney on October 8, 1852. This was a big adventure, as Australia was a new and growing country at the time.

Life in Colonial Australia

After arriving, William traveled around Australia. In August 1853, he was in Bendigo, Victoria, a place famous for its gold rush. There, he spoke at a meeting of gold miners, sharing his ideas about how a country should be governed. These ideas were called "republican doctrines," which meant he thought a country should be run by its citizens, not by a king or queen.

An Artist's Gallery

William's wife, Caroline, joined him in Australia at the end of 1854. Together, in March 1855, they opened an art gallery and a school for design in Sydney. They hoped to share their love of art and teach others. However, it seems their art business did not do as well as they hoped.

Because of this, they moved to Stratford, Victoria, in 1856. While living there, they met a well-known explorer named Angus McMillan.

Exhibiting His Work

William continued to create art. In 1857, he showed nine of his artworks at the first Victorian Society of Fine Arts exhibition in Melbourne. He displayed six oil paintings and three watercolors, showing his skill in different art forms.

Later Years and Legacy

Soon after the exhibition, William returned to Sydney. He and Caroline had decided to live apart. William then became a partner in a business that painted signs. He passed away in Sydney in 1860.

Even though he lived a short life, William Dexter left his mark as an artist in both England and Australia. A book about William and Caroline, called Folie A Deux: William and Caroline Dexter in Colonial Australia, was written by Patrick Morgan in 1999.