The marriage at Cana of Galilee

The first Australian-born artist to study in Europe, Adelaide Ironside aspired to history painting, the highest category of art in her day. 'The marriage at Cana of Galilee' 1861/1863 – the most important painting of her career – portrays Christ's first public miracle, the transformation of water into wine during the marriage feast at Cana in Galilee.

Painted in Rome, 'The marriage' was exhibited at the Colonial Court of the 1862 International Exhibition in London. It was returned to Sydney after the artist's premature death, and was owned for many years by the all-male St Paul's College, University of Sydney.