Description

Extended Data

Birth Place

Switzerland

Biography

sketcher, carpenter and gold digger, was born in Switzerland. According to shipping lists (cited Christie’s), he had been living in Canada as a carpenter and a British subject before coming to Victoria, aged 20, aboard the clipper ship Magnolia (Captain B.W. Tucker). It departed from New York on 27 July 1852 and arrived at Port Phillip on 24 November 1852. His sketchbook (sold Christie’s Australia in August 1996, lot 13) includes detailed views of Eureka and the rebellion, which for the first time unequivocally locate the site of the stockade. He also gives views of the Ballarat diggings and the Chinese diggers there. The title page of 'Australian Sketches’, a manuscript signed 'Charles A. Doudiet’, is inscribed 'Begun in Melbourne in February 1855 – Finished on Ballarat in September 1855’. It comprises: a title page containing eight vignettes including two ships, Rio, and 'Home’ ('the Author’s Home – near Montreal, Canada East’); a drawing of 'Champion of the Seas off Cape Horn’ on the front past-down; a wash sketch 'The Ole Ten on Specimen Hill’ on the end paste-down; and 13 detached watercolour views. The manuscript list at the front gives 30 named and numbered drawings as well as detached paintings. Illustrated in the Christie’s catalogue were the title page 'Australian Sketches’, no.14 'Eureka Riot 17th October’, no. XIX 'Swearing allegience to the “Southern Cross”’, 1 December 1854; (detail of?) panoramic view locating 'The Battlefield Red Hill’ [from l.l.] 'Post Office Hill)’, Warrenheip and Buninyong Mountain; and no.18 'Eureka Slaughter 3rd December’. Others drawings are said to have been removed before the sale. Writers: Staff Writer Date written: 1999 Last updated: 2011

Born

b. c.1832

Summary

Charles Alphonse Doudiet was a sketcher, carpenter and gold digger. Born in Switzerland, he arrived at Port Phillip in 1852. Christie's Australia sold Doudiet's sketchbook in 1996.

Gender

Male

Died

1872

Age at death

40