BOCK, Thomas (1790-1857)

artist

was born at Sutton Coldfield, England, in 1790. He was apprenticed to an engraver at Birmingham, and in 1817 was awarded a silver medal by the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, for the engraving of a portrait. He afterwards practised in London as an engraver and miniature painter. He came to Hobart about the year 1824 and worked as an engraver, portrait and miniature painter. He was one of the exhibitors at the first exhibition of pictures held in Australia, in January 1845 at Hobart. An artist of ability, he is represented in the Hobart gallery. the Beattie collection at the Launceston museum, and at the Mitchell library. He died at Hobart in 1857. His son, Alfred Bock (1835-1920), who was the first to introduce photography into Tasmania, was one of the earliest native born artists and painted both portraits and landscapes.

W. Moore, The Story of Australian Art; Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, vol. XXXV.