Chau Chak Wing Museum: Sydney Uni space open daily with free admission

The Chau Chak Wing Museum opens to the public on November 18 at the Sydney University. Entry is free.

A “mystery portrait” stored in a Sydney University basement for over 150 years has been resurrected and will take pride of place when the Chau Chak Wing Museum opens at the university next week.

The untitled portrait of a sea captain was given to the university in 1865 by the first chancellor Sir Charles Nicholson, who would have bought it in Europe, curator Dr Ann Stephen said.

Curator Ann Stephen at the new Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University. Picture:Justin Lloyd

Staff have dubbed it “the old sea dog”, because the identities of the artist and the sitter were unknown.

But Dr Stephen always had a hunch about the picture, and recommended the university send it off to be conserved. Six months of meticulous restoration and scientific study by Julia Sharp of David Stein and Company has now confirmed the painting dates to the mid 17th Century — the Dutch Golden Age, best known for Rembrandt.

The painting is now known as Sea Captain, c. 1650 and Dr Stephen hopes an art history student at the university one day solves the puzzle of who the portrait depicts and who made it. She is pinning her hopes on a small inscription on the painting which she knows is there, but the university lacks the required technology to read at this stage.

Archeologist and curator Craig Barker at the new Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University. Picture:Justin Lloyd

Picture:Justin Lloyd

For many years, the painting was believed to be a much later copy of a 17th Century painting. Its surface was “reptilian” with dust, grime and layers of yellowed varnish, Dr Stephen said.

It is now in sparkling form and will be seen in Coastline, one of 18 new exhibitions to be revealed when the Chau Chak Wing Museum opens to the public on November 18. The museum, in front of the Sydney University Quadrangle, will open seven days a week with free entry (timed entry tickets must be booked online during COVID).

Director David Ellis at the new Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University. Picture:Justin Lloyd.

About 70 per cent of the objects showcased in the Chau Chak Wing Museum have never been displayed before, director David Ellis said.

“Our collections really are engaging for all age groups, those interested in archaeologies, ancient worlds, indigenous histories, visual arts. It’s all here,” Mr Ellis said.

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