Charles Henry Kerry Paintings

Charles Henry Kerry was an Australian photographer, not primarily known for his art but rather for his significant contribution to documenting the history and culture of Australia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1858, Kerry established his reputation as a commercial photographer and developed one of the largest and most comprehensive photographic records of Australia during his time.

Kerry began his photography career in the 1880s, working in various studios before eventually taking over the studio of A.H. Lamartiniere in Sydney in 1884. This became the base for Charles Kerry & Co. He was a pioneer in many aspects of photography and was particularly known for his portraits, landscapes, and interest in the ethnographic photography of Indigenous Australians. Kerry was also one of the first to take advantage of the tourism market, selling images of the Australian landscape to locals and visitors alike.

His work was not only significant from an artistic standpoint but also valuable for historical and ethnographical research, as it provides a visual record of the time. Kerry's collection includes images of the built environment of Sydney, rural New South Wales, and notable events of the time, such as the Federation of Australia in 1901.

Although not celebrated in the same vein as more prominent artistic figures in photography, Kerry's contributions are nonetheless crucial in understanding Australia's visual history. His photographs are held in various institutions, including the Mitchell Library in Sydney. Charles Henry Kerry continued to work until his death in 1928. After his passing, his extensive collection of glass plate negatives was acquired by the Tyrrell Museum, which later sold them to the Australian Museum in Sydney, ensuring their preservation and continued public access.