First Fleet artwork collection

A view across Sydney Cove from a sparsely wooded hillside on the eastern shore, looking south-west. The scene appears to be lit from the east, as if seen in the early morning. The composition is framed on the right foreground by a large tree, beside which are two small Aboriginal figures. One is seated and looks up at the other who is leaning on a fishing spear and gesturing towards Government House, which can be seen in the mid-distance to the left with a blue-grey roof. It is backed by woodland, and its formal lawns slope down in front of other buildings towards the shore and wharf, near to which the hull of a boat can be seen supported on stocks. This feature also appears in Watling drawing numbers LS6 and 14. More buildings can be seen on the far shore, including large barn-like structures on the skyline. The sky is cloudy and occupies the upper two thirds of the composition. It is represented by layered washes of grey and blue, and is darker and denser towards the upper right. The sea largely reflects the sky but is slightly more blue in colour. The drawing is framed by a double-banded ink border, with the inner band coloured black. It is signed by Watling and titled by him in grey ink copperplate script below the border.