Sep 05 2007
The Conciliation – Dutterau
The Concilation – Benjamin Dutterau – 1840
When examining the Dutterau’s painting consider the following
• How does the title of Dutterau’s panting reflect his perspective of events in Tasmania and of George Robinson.
The dictionary defines conciliation as: Action taken to reach agreement or restore trust, friendship, or goodwill that has been lost, especially as a deliberate process used in a dispute.
• The painting depicts the British colonialists attitudes and the values of the time (1840). The central figure is George Robinson. How does the use of colour and positioning suggest Dutterau’s admiration of him?
Euro centric: focusing on Europe or its people, institutions, cultures, sometimes in an arrogant way
• What other evidence in the painting suggests a Euro centric focus: the colonist belief in white mans supremacy and their view of the aboriginal people as a primitive people.
• What do the gestures of the individual aboriginals in the painting suggest about their attitudes towards conciliation?
• After studying this painting what thoughts does it give you about the calls nowadays for “reconciliation” with the aboriginal people?
Connotation: to imply or suggest something in addition to the main or literal meaning.
• What are the connotations of this term?
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• How does the above title of Dutterau’s painting reflect his perspective of events in Tasmania and of George Robinson?
Conciliation – pacify, win over, offer parties voluntary settlement, coming together, in this case, of aborigines and white men
Dutterau believed that the aborigines were being ‘used’. The European settlers used there power to and sway to convince the aborigines that what they were doing to them was the right thing and was beneficial to them. He believed this to be a bullying exercise and was showing prejudice against the aborigines. He was a supporter of George Robinson and his actions in saving the lives of aborigines by moving the away from the harm of the Tasmanian government. Although we see George Robinson’s actions from a different perspective and a more negative aspect to dutterau, his perspective was very different
• The painting depicts the British colonists’ attitudes and values of the time (1840). The central figure is George Robinson. How does the use of colour and positioning suggest Dutterau’s admiration of him?
All if the aboriginals are looking at George with an inquisitive nature and are laid back in the presence of a white man with their spears at bay. George Robinson is the central figure of the painting and is displayed brightly standing out from the rest of the picture.
• What other evidence in the painting suggests a Eurocentric focus: the colonists’ belief in white supremacy and their view of the Aboriginal people as a primitive people.
The fact that the whole painting is set around one white figure painting brightly surrounded by duller looking aboriginals suggests that the painting has a very strong eurocentric focus. It is though the aboriginals are the background of the white man. The aboriginals seem as they do not understand what is happening and the white man looks to be there leader. He is shaking hands with the leader of the tribe making an agreement. The aboriginals do not have clothes while the white man is dressed from head to toe.
• What do the gestures of the individual aboriginals in the painting suggest about their attitudes towards “conciliation”?
They are unsure about the outcome of what is happening. This is shown through their body language. They are talking amongst themselves and holding hands and pointing at the white man. They are discussing amongst themselves what is happening. Some are peering from behind the man and others are not interested.
• After studying this painting, what thoughts does it give you about the calls nowadays for reconciliation with the aboriginal people?
The white man should feel thankful for reconciliation that now they can look back upon and analyse the vast mistakes that they have made. Back then when the aboriginal people were still living in their traditional way unaware of what was going on they had no way of knowing what was going to happen to them. They now want to live knowing they have had an apology for the past.
• What are the connotations of this text
That aboriginal people are primitive compared to the Europeans.
When examining Duterrau’s painting consider the following-
∑ How does the title of Dutterau’s painting reflect his perspective of events in Tasmania and of George Robinson? What the dictionary defines Conciliation as.
o Definition: action taken to reach agreement or restore trust, friendship, or goodwill that has been lost, especially as a deliberate process used in a dispute.
o The conciliation is a positive word suggesting that Duterrau’s view on the events was one of agreement. The use of conciliation would mean that Duterrau’s thought that what Robinson was doing to the Aborigines was something that is good for them and doing them a favour through their “domestication”.
∑ The painting depicts the British colonist attitudes and value of the time (1840). The central figure is George Robinson. How does the use of colour and positioning suggest Dutterau’s admiration of him?
o George Robinson is positioned in the middle of the painting and is surrounded by the Aborigines this sets Robinson above those surrounding him suggesting that Duterrau admires him. Also the colours in the grass and the dirt are dark except for around Robinson where it becomes considerably brighter.
∑ What other evidence in the painting suggests a Euro-centric focus: the colonist belief in White Mans supremacy and their view of the Aboriginal people as a primitive people.
o The most striking piece of evidence that points toward a Euro-centric focus is that Robinson is in the middle of the painting with the Aborigines around him very interested in him. The fact that he is in the centre is symbolic of saying that Europe is in the centre. Also the colours of the grass around Robinson are brighter, this combined with the clouds, that form around Robinson’s head, form an aura or a halo around Robinson. This is a biblical symbol with Robinson being Jesus and the Aborigines being the sinners and Robinson/Jesus come to save the Aborigines/Sinners. This is saying that the Europeans are the saviour and are therefore superior to the rest.
∑ What do the gestures of the individual Aboriginals in the painting suggest about their attitudes towards “conciliation”?
o The expressions on the faces of all the Aboriginals are of unhappiness, resignation and perplexity. These feelings would come about because they have had their homes destroyed and their land taken from them; lots of them have been murdered for no reason other than spite. So lots of Aborigines are unhappy some of them are resigned all of them would be perplexed as to what was happening to them and why. The gestures of the Aborigines portray much the same thing. The gesture that is the most striking is the Aborigine that is shaking Robinson’s hand as well as putting a hand on a friends shoulder. This gesture has two sides to it one is the Aborigine is shaking Robinson’s hand in agreement and on the other side is putting a hand on his friends shoulder this is showing his support and/or sorrow that he is feeling towards his people.
∑ After studying his painting what thoughts does it give you about the calls nowadays for “reconciliation” with the Aboriginal people? What are the connotations of this term?
o This painting makes me feel in full support of the reconciliation towards the Aborigines because of what we as a whole have done to the Aborigines although I wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t want anything to do with the reconciliation.
The conciliation-Benjamin Dutterau- 1840
When examining Dutteurau’s painting consider the following:
• How does the title of Dutterau’s painting reflect his perspective of events in Tasmania and of George Robinson?
The “conciliation painting” by Dutterau depicts his own perspective concerning the events in Tasmania in the 1840’s. The title Conciliation depicts Duuterau’s perspective, as he believes the tension has stopped and differences have been put aside. He believes the issues faced by the two culture has been resolved and their differences narrowed.
Dutterau’s depicts Robinson as a hero, who shows relates and respects the native Aborigines. He views Robinson actions as noble and full of the best intensions. By depicting Robinson this way he also believes that it is in the best interest of the Aborigines that he is taking them away and domesticating them.
• The dictionary defines conciliation as:
the state of manifesting goodwill and cooperation after being reconciled; “there was a brief period of conciliation but the fighting soon resumed”
• The painting depicts the British colonists attitudes and values of the time (1840). The central figure is George Robinson. How does the use of colour and positioning suggest Dutterau’s admiration of him?
The use of positioning is a main feature in this painting. The image is a salient as it focuses on the central character which is George Robinson. This enthacises the importance of Robinson and shows Dutterau’s admiration for him. Robinson also stands out as he is dressed in bright colour and all the others people are focused on him, with positive body language, towards him.
• What other evidence in the painting suggests the Eurocentric focus: the colonist belief in the white mans supremacy and their view of the Aboriginal people as a primitive people.
Euro centricity is shown, as the Robinson is the only bright, colourful thing. Robinson is dressed in nice cloths, while the Aboriginal people are naked. The colour of the Aboriginals may also suggest they belief that they are part of the land, and they don’t own the land, but are part of it. The expressions on the faces also suggest a euro centric perspective, as the Aboriginals are not smiling, while Robinson is. This may be suggesting the happiest that each culture provides, as the Aboriginals are primitive so not as happy, while Robinson is happy as he has the technology in an advanced culture.
• What do the gestures of the individual Aboriginals in the painting suggest about their attitudes towards “conciliation”?
The gestures shown by the Aboriginals, shows the fascination with anything foreign. The Aboriginals are friendly and fasciated by Robinson, as he is the centre of their focus as they all point towards him.
• After studying this painting what thoughts does it give you about the calls nowadays for the “reconciliation” with the Aboriginal people? What are the connotations of this term?
Reconciliation is a major issue in Australia today; I just went to a concert where the reason for it was reconciliation. Trying to establish a healthy relationship between as and the native Aborigines, I believe this will be a very hard, but worthwhile thing to do in our society. There is a lot of tension and issues surrounding reconciliation and the equality of all cultures. I believe these issue will never be fully reconciled as there will always be divisions and differences in Australia between cultures. I think is a great step in easing the barriers but these barriers will always remain.
• How does the title of Dutterau’s painting reflect his perspective of events in Tasmania and of George Robinson?
He sees Robinson’s actions as being a very positive step towards racial equality. This is because of the position of him in the painting and how he stands out in contrast of the aborigines and the landscape.
• The painting depicts the British colonist’s attitudes and values of the time (1840). The central figure is George Robinson. How does the use of colour and positioning suggest Dutterau’s admiration of him?
• What other evidence in the painting suggest a Euro centric focus: the colonist’s belief in white man’s supremacy and their view of the aboriginal people as a primitive people.
Robinson is depicted as a respectful man dressed nicely and the disparity of the aborigines. Facial expressions also support this as Robinson seems quite confident but the aborigines seem a little perplexed and hesitant.
• What do the gestures of the individual gestures of individual aboriginals in the painting suggest about their attitudes towards conciliation?
They seem quite hesitant as the aborigine that is shaking Robinson’s hand is also patting another one for support. Others seem quite indifferent towards it and are continuing as if this should not really affect them.
• After studying this painting what thoughts does it give you about the calls nowadays for “reconciliation with the aboriginal people”? What are the connotations of this term?
I think that even though certain actions are made for reconciliation with the aborigines, these may be in good intention but do not necessarily have a positive outcome. This was proven with Robinson’s actions as his what he initially did was good for the aboriginal population but when he abandoned them, illness and camp conditions deteriorated resulting in death. this can be related today with the stolen generation.