Alfred Vincent

Alfred James Vincent (9 February 1874 – 6 December 1915) was an Australian cartoonist born in Launceston, Tasmania.

Early life Vincent was born in Launceston, Tasmania, on 9 February 1874 to Frances (née Wilks) and William Thomas Vincent. At the age of seventeen, he presented "Skits: a memento from the Tasmanian Exhibition, Launceston, 1891-92."

Cartoonist Vincent's involvement with Melbourne Punch began in 1895 when he started contributing political cartoons. Notable works from this period include "Which is the Burning Question? [Cricket or Federation?]" dated 7 February 1895, "A Familiar Saying. 'After a Painting by Michael Angelo'" featured a policeman chasing a man with a painting under his arm (Melbourne Punch Almanac, 1895) and "Standing Room Only" dated 11 June 1896.

In December 1896, at the age of 22, he assumed the main cartoon page of Melbourne Punch, succeeding Tom Carrington. Additionally, he created the anti-suffrage cartoon titled "Will She Go to the Poll?" which depicted a woman on a bike pulling various items, including a pram and a kitchen stove. This cartoon was published in Melbourne Punch on 12 November 1896.

Alf Vincent contributed work to the Melbourne Punch from 1895, in 1896 succeeding Tom Carrington as feature artist. After many years of submitting work to the Sydney Bulletin, he joined their staff in 1898, as a replacement for Tom Durkin and remained there until 1915. He also contributed to The Bulletins sister publication, Lone Hand. His wife, Phyllis May (née Potter), whom he had married on 5 April 1913, at St James's Old Cathedral in Melbourne, and their daughter, outlived him. Phyllis May died in 1916.

Collections

Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Castlemaine Art Museum Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Ballarat Art Gallery, Ballarat Melbourne Savage Club, Melbourne National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne National Library of Australia, Canberra National Gallery of Australia, Canberra State Library of New South Wales, Sydney