Acer palmatum, although there are more than 100 species of maple worldwide, only one species (Acer campestre) is native to the UK.

Skip to page content

History

Image 4 of 42
  previous page next page

"A partial view of Sydney Cove taken from the Sea side before the Surgeon Generals House"
Artist: Port Jackson Painter
Created: [between 1790 and 1795]
Dimensions: 32 x 45.4 cm
Reference: Watling Drawing - no. 14

 
hide detailed image description

A monochrome view across Sydney Cove from the outside Surgeon-General John White's house on the western shore, with one ship at anchor and another at left in full sail heading eastwards towards the harbour entrance. Both are flying the naval ensign of Queen Anne. In the centre foreground two Aboriginal men stand with fishing spears on a rocky outcrop. One is depicted in left profile pointing a throwing stick to the left, while the other is shown in frontal view looking towards the viewer. To the right a woman gestures towards them with a paddle from her canoe, which has a fire burning in the middle. On the far shore of the cove a small boat with figures can be seen approaching Government Wharf. A boat raised on stocks can be seen on the shore nearby, something which is also depicted in Watling Drawing numbers LS6 and 20. Government House and gardens is depicted on the hillside behind, and a hut can be seen at the end of the tree covered promontory of Bennelong Point. The sky and clouds are represented by grey washes and unpainted areas. The drawing is framed by a double-banded ink border with the inner band coloured with black wash, and the drawing is annotated below the frame in brown ink.

 
hide notes

  • Port Jackson Painter]
  • The drawing is inscribed in blue pencil at top right with the number "21", which refers to the pre-1984 numbering system for the Watling Collection.
  • The drawing is annotated in brown ink at bottom "A partial view of Sydney Cove taken from the Sea side before the Surgeon Generals House".
  • The drawing is unsigned and undated.
  • The author of this catalogue record is Suzanne Stenning.
  • By permission of the trustees of the Natural History Museum (London).
  • Two sets of transparencies held in the Natural History Museum (London) Zoology Library and Picture Library: Picture Library order number 12014
  • James Lee of Kensington : purchased ; 1902
  • Data sheet available.
  • Wheeler, A. and Smith, B, (eds.) The Art of the First Fleet and other early Australian Drawings. New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1988. (Plate 134, p. 129.)
  • McCormick, Tim. First Views of Australia: A History of Early Sydney. David Ell Press in association with Longueville Publications, Chippendale, 1987. (Plate 22, p. 56.)