diff --git a/include/wx/gtk/bitmap.h b/include/wx/gtk/bitmap.h
index a6c24d9c06..3de0323615 100644
--- a/include/wx/gtk/bitmap.h
+++ b/include/wx/gtk/bitmap.h
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ public:
     
     wxImage ConvertToImage() const;
 
+    // copies the contents and mask of the given (colour) icon to the bitmap
+    virtual bool CopyFromIcon(const wxIcon& icon);
+
     wxMask *GetMask() const;
     void SetMask( wxMask *mask );
     
diff --git a/include/wx/gtk1/bitmap.h b/include/wx/gtk1/bitmap.h
index a6c24d9c06..3de0323615 100644
--- a/include/wx/gtk1/bitmap.h
+++ b/include/wx/gtk1/bitmap.h
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ public:
     
     wxImage ConvertToImage() const;
 
+    // copies the contents and mask of the given (colour) icon to the bitmap
+    virtual bool CopyFromIcon(const wxIcon& icon);
+
     wxMask *GetMask() const;
     void SetMask( wxMask *mask );
     
diff --git a/src/gtk/bitmap.cpp b/src/gtk/bitmap.cpp
index 30fa4db6fa..e104eb7e82 100644
--- a/src/gtk/bitmap.cpp
+++ b/src/gtk/bitmap.cpp
@@ -865,6 +865,12 @@ void wxBitmap::SetMask( wxMask *mask )
     M_BMPDATA->m_mask = mask;
 }
 
+bool wxBitmap::CopyFromIcon(const wxIcon& icon)
+{
+    *this = icon;
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
 wxBitmap wxBitmap::GetSubBitmap( const wxRect& rect) const
 {
     wxCHECK_MSG( Ok() &&
diff --git a/src/gtk1/bitmap.cpp b/src/gtk1/bitmap.cpp
index 30fa4db6fa..e104eb7e82 100644
--- a/src/gtk1/bitmap.cpp
+++ b/src/gtk1/bitmap.cpp
@@ -865,6 +865,12 @@ void wxBitmap::SetMask( wxMask *mask )
     M_BMPDATA->m_mask = mask;
 }
 
+bool wxBitmap::CopyFromIcon(const wxIcon& icon)
+{
+    *this = icon;
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
 wxBitmap wxBitmap::GetSubBitmap( const wxRect& rect) const
 {
     wxCHECK_MSG( Ok() &&