Search for an Artist
Watercolour of Sydney Cove dated 1866 and signed S.W.C
On a blustery, overcast morning1 in 1866, an amateur artist set up their easel on the veranda of one of the impressive villas at Kirribilli Point, Sydney. Just eighty years previously, the view in front of them would have been of sporadic campfires lit by the indigenous Gadigal people. Now, Sydney Cove was a bustling commercial and administrative hub for the colony of New South Wales. This is the story of the search for the identity of the artist SWC and their possible connection to Fredrick Lassetter who owned a large, well known hardware business in Sydney and Elizabeth von Arnim, a famous European author in the early 20th century. In the late 1970s, the painting surfaced in an antique shop on Portobello Road, London. There was no information about the art work other than it was dated 1866 and signed S.W.C. The current owner recognised that subject was Sydney Cove and, after some deliberation, the painting was purchased. Close inspection of the painting shows a lot of detail in the rigging of the ships and in the background. Foreground and background perspectives are slightly off indicating a naive artist, but familiar buildiongs around Circular Quay can be clearly identified giving it a historical significance. Go e e t House, Fo t Ma ua ie, Syd ey O se ato y, Ca p ell’s Sto es and other landmarks can be identified (Appendix 1 for further information). The detailed rendition of landmark buildings may suggest that a telescope was used and this could be a reason that far away buildings appear larger than they should. Location of the Artist The location of the artist was determined by triangulation of three prominent landmarks seen in the painting. See Appendix 2 for analysis. There were only a few houses on Kirribilli Point at that time which allows us to pinpoint the location to either Beulah House or Clifton House. The
1 Slight reddening to the east and the ball at Sydney Observatory is up indicating that it is prior to 1pm. perspective from houses to the left or right of these dwellings would have meant that the three reference buildings would not have lined up how they appear in the picture. Beulah House was built in the 1840s by William Gibbs. His father Colonel John Gibbs (Collector of Customs) built the nearby Watonga (now Admiralty House) in 1843. William Gibbs was arrested in 1858 on smuggling charges and sentence to 2 years Prison. Beulah House was sold as part of insolvency proceedings. I this detail f o G E Pea o k’s painting of Government House2 from Ca 1850, Beulah House can be seen on Kirribilli Point towards the left. Woodlands in close by on the right and above Woodlands is Clifton House. The only building that is still exists is Watonga, at the far right, which is now known as Admiralty House. Clifton was built in the 1840s for the Port Jackson Harbourmaster, Merion Moriarty. It was high up so provided a commanding view of the harbour. It is noted that the SWC painting does seem to suggest some elevation for the artist. Beulah House and Clifton House in 1866 In 1866 Beulah House was owned by Captain Charles Riley (formally of the 80th Regiment) and leased to Fredrick Lassetter. The Lassetters moved from Beulah to nearby Watonga in the second half of 1866. Further up the hill behind Beulah, Clifton House was owned by James Tucker and leased to the Beauchamps. The two families are connected through marriage. He y Beau ha p a ied F ed i k Lassette ’s younger sister, Elizabeth in 1855. In addition, sometime in 1867, the Beauchamps moved to the Lassetters old residence, Beulah. Fredrick Lassetter was a very successful businessman. His company, F. Lasseter and Co, became one of the biggest department stores in Sydney employing over 1000 workers. His son, Henry (Harry) Beauchamp Lassetter commanded the New South Wales Mounted Rifles in the Boer war. Henry H Beauchamp was a successful merchant. Their youngest daughter, Mary Annette Beauchamp (born 31 August 1866 and probably at Clifton House) became very well known as the author Elizabeth von Arnim. Her most famous book is Elizabeth and her German Garden. A cousin of Ma y’s is the Ne Zeala d autho Kathe i e Ma sfield. Both the Lassetters and Beauchamps travelled to London together in 1870 aboard La Hogue. The Beauchamps auctioned off all their Sydney possessions (including a very quiet and good Milch Cow) and remained in Europe. The Lassetters on the other hand returned to Sydney after a year abroad and eventually moved to Redleaf in Double Bay (now the Woollahra Council Chambers). Conclusion Unfortunately, the initials SWC do not immediately feature. The artist was perhaps someone associated with the Lassetter or Beauchamp families so the search continues.
2 Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales Identification of Landmarks Appendix 1
2 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 1 3
8
1. The Wishing Tree. The large Norfolk Pine in the Botanical Gardens was planted in the presence of Elizabeth Macquarie in 1818 by her gardener. People would walk around it three times forwards, then walking three times backwards, before making their wish. The tree died in the 1940s and a Wollombi Pine is planted in the same spot. The picture to the right shows the Wishing Tree in circa 1895.
2. Go e e t House. This is Syd ey’s se o d Go e e t House a d as o pleted in 1845.
3. Fort Macquarie. Completed in 1819, it mounted 15 guns. The Fort was demolished in 1903 to make way for a tram depot and in turn the tram depot was replaced by the Sydney Opera House.
4. St James Church. The church was designed by the convict architect Francis Greenway and was constructed opposite the Hyde Park Barracks between 1820 and 1824. The copper steeple is 52 metres high and was also on high ground so would have been able to be seen from Kirribilli Point in 1866. It is o th oti g that St Stephe ’s Church in Philip St (pulled down in 1935) had a tall spire but was constructed in 1875
5. In the middle of the paining is the distinctive square tower of St Phillips Church in present day York St. The church which was designed by Edmund Blacket and completed in 1856 .
6. Miles Building. Aust alia’s fi st P i e Mi iste li ed i the Miles Building when he was a child.
7. Cumberland Place Building. Like the Miles Building, a set of town houses. The painting to the right is of Ca p ell’s Wharf by Conrad Martins in 1857. It shows the Miles and Cumberland Place Buildings on the ridgeline above The Rocks.
8. Ca p ell’s Wha f a d Wa ehouses. Ca p ell’s Stores were constructed in sections between 1850 and 1860. A third level was added between 1882 and 1887.
9. Sydney Observatory is just behind the Cumberland Place Building. The ball is still up suggesting that it is before 1pm(?).
10. Dawes Point Battery. A semicircular battery designed by Francis Greenway in 1819.
11. St Andrews Church Balmain. Completed in 1855 and can still be seen from Kirribilli Point. Location of Artist Appendix 2
Location by Google Maps
Government House St James Anglican Church
Woodlands
Clifton
Fort Macquarie Beulah The Dingle
Most likely location for the correct perspective in the painting is Beulah House or Clifton House. If from The Dingle, Government House would have been more behind Fort Macquarie. If from Woodlands, St James Church would be behind Fort Macquarie and the wharf to the right of Fort Macquarie would not have been as visible.
Clifton
The Dingle
Beulah
Woodlands
Fort Macquarie
Government House
St James Anglican Church