Historical information

William Abendigo Thompson was English bare-knuckle boxer born in Nottingham, 1811- 1880 and whose name is (allegedly) borne by the City of Greater Bendigo.
One of 21 children he started fighting aged 18 and began prizefighting aged 21. His career spanned from 1832–50, and is said to have lost only one fight. Later in life, after spending time in prison he became a Methodist evangelist preacher.
While the artist and date of production of this work are unknown the initials JJLh (or n?) are just legible lower right on canvas. Other clues for an approximate date of creation include the similarity in composition of this painting to a popular aquatint of Bendigo by Charles Hunt Senior (1803 - 77). Based on the markings on the back of the canvas for Rowney and Co and the address given, we can ascertain that the canvas itself was manufactured between 1884 - 1896. The painting also includes an extract of the Conan Doyle poem 'Bendigo's Sermon' which was written in 1911. Given these three factors, a date for the painting can be surmised as post 1911.
Stretched made by George Rowney’s is one of very few artists’ supply businesses with origins in the 18th century still trading today, as Daler-Rowney, albeit no longer in family hands. The business has been a significant supplier of canvases and panels from the 1810s.

Physical description

0348.1 Framed oil painting of the bare fisted knuckle fighter William Abendigo Thompson painted in a naïve style. Depicts Thompson, bare chested in an outdoor fighting ring with his fists raised with a water bucket at this feet.
0348.2 Typed note re the history of the naming of the City of Bendigo.

Inscriptions & markings

Top centre front of painting;
You didn’t know of Bendigo? That knocks me out!
Who’s your board school teacher? What’s he about?
Chock a block with fairy tales – full of useless cram
And haven’t heard o' Bendigo the pride of Nothin’
All sing along together
lower centre painting;
William Abendigo Thompson
centre Inner wooden frame;
bendigo
back of canvas;
Geo. Rowney & Co
64 Oxford Street
and
Princes Ball Piccadilly
London W
sticker lower centre back of frame;
donors name and address.
Initials illegible lower right.