Robert Marsh Westmacott - Art - Sketchbooks and Isolated Works
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| Robert Marsh Westmacott, My Cottage, Woodlands, Illawarra. Collection: National Library of Australia. |
This section contains descriptions of all Westmacott's known works in watercolour, wash, ink and pencil. Individual items are mostly to be found in bound volumes in Australian public collections. Provenance is often vague, as following the Museum Book Store sale of 1929 it appears a number of Westmacott's original sketchbooks as offered in that sale were broken up, rearranged, and rebound. Rex Nan Kivell appears to have purchased the best items and deposited them in the National Library of Australia, including NLA NK762/1-72, with Sir William Dixson acquiring one album (DL PX53) and numerous lithographs, all of which became part of the State Library of New South Wales collection.
The provenance of the album catalogued as PXA1760 in the Mitchell Library is unknown - as all the works contained therein are inscribed "C.Martens", perhaps Mitchell acquired it from an Australian collector or dealer who was aware of his special interest in Martens.
Within this section descriptions for each work include: title, dimensions, medium, call number, and a brief outline of the view. Titles are as allocated by Westmacott, usually written below the work in his own distinctive hand. The following codes describe the media used in each work:
CW - Chinese white
I - Ink
P - Pencil
SW - Sepia wash (Plumbago)
W/C - Watercolour
Pencil and sepia wash were the most common media employed by Westmacott. All dimensions are in centimetres.
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Drawings and Watercolours of New South Wales
Mitchell Library, PXA1760. Album containing 2 watercolours, 17 sepia washes, and 10 pencil sketches. All incorrectly signed "C.Martens". Provenance unknown. Descriptive and biographical notes compiled by Sir William Dixson and Mitchell Library staff accompany this album at ML PXn512.
* Entrance to "Hunters" River, "Newcastle" N.S.W
SW 14.2 x 29.3 ML PXA1760 f.1
Westmacott first visited the Hunter region with Governor Bourke in 1832. This view looks north across the entrance to Newcastle harbour, with two buildings in the right foreground, and a jetty to the left. Coastal views incorporating sail and steam ships were a favourite with Westmacott. A native family is included in the foreground.
* Sydney Goal
W/C & SW 23.7 x 26.5 ML PXA1760 f.2
This view is of the Sydney Goal from the south west, including the Hyde Park Barracks in present-day Macquarie Street.
* Dapto Creek, Illawarra
P 18.2 x 24.6 ML PXA1760 f.3
View looking west towards a homestead in the West Dapto area of Illawarra, close to the Illawarra mountain range. The vegetation in this area is thick and lush, with distinctive tall, slender cabbage palms as seen on the right.
* Kiama, Illawarra
P 18.3 x 23.6 ML PXA1760 f.4
View looking north along the Illawarra coastline from Kiama, with a building in the left foreground.
* On the road to Bathurst
P & SW 14.2 x 18.8 ML PXA1760 f.5
Westmacott first travelled to Bathurst in October 1832, with Governor Bourke.
* The Flying Fox - description on other side.
The Flying Fox of India, and the Islands in the vicinity. They are about the size of a rabbit with enormous Wings. They are not carnivorous, and feed instantly upon Fruits. It sleeps all day, envelops itself in its Wings, and hangs by one Claw, to the Branch of a Tree. At sunset they awake and fins its way to the Orchards of Settlers and if not watched soon strips the trees of peaches, nectarines, grapes and other fruits
SW 14.2 x 16.1 ML PXA1760 f.6
Sketch of a family of 4 flying foxes hanging from the branch of a tree, including one below with wings spread as during flight. These are possibly indigenous Flying Fox's.
* Government Gardens from the Stables of Government House
P 16.7 x 24 ML PXA1760 f.7
View looking east across Sydney Harbour from the southern corner of the Government House Stables. See also Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 2, for a similar view from a position slightly to the south. As Westmacott was the commander of Governor Bourke's Mounted Orderlies - his troop escort - he would have spent a lot of his official duties in this area.
* Green Point and Five Islands, Illawarra
P 23.7 x 26.7 ML PXA1760 f.8
View looking south along the Illawarra coastline, possibly in the Bulli area, though it is difficult to identify the specific headland portrayed in this drawing. Most likely a view from Westmacott's residence looking towards Bulli Point and Waniora Creek. A group of aborigines is seen fishing in the creek in the right foreground, with a native hut (termed "gumoya") nearby on the bank.
* Wooloomooloo near Sydney. Residence of the Roman Catholic Bishop
P 14.3 x 23.3 ML PXA1760 f.9
View looking north east across Woolloomooloo.
* Darlinghurst and Port Jackson Heads
P 14.3 x 22.6 ML PXA1760 f.10
View looking north east towards Darlinghurst and South Head Road.
* Carrington, Port Stephens, settlement formed by the Australian Agricultural Company
P 14.3 x 23.3 ML PXA1760 f.11
View looking towards the settlement of Carrington, across Port Stephens. A steam packet is seen approaching the wharf.
* Double Bay, Port Jackson Harbour
P & SW 13.9 x 22 ML PXA1760 f.12
View looking across Double Bay towards Sydney Heads.
* Waronora Creek, Illawarra. Mountains in the Distance
P 14.3 x 23.3 ML PXA1760 f.13
View looking north-west from Bulli Point, Illawarra, towards the Illawarra escarpment. The house in the middle distance is Westmacott's property at Bulli, near present-day Sandon Point, where he resided between 1838-44. See NK762/20 (Bulli, Illawarra) for a watercolour development of this view. Also NK762/11 (My Cottage, Woodlands, Illawarra, N.S.W.) and DLPX53 f.4 (Bulli, Illawarra, My cottage) for more detailed views of his two Bulli residences.
* Port Jackson Heads and shewing the Quarantine Station
SW 14.6 x 23.1 ML PXA1760 f.14
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 1, for a lithographic development of this view, looking north towards Port Jackson Heads and Manly.
* Waterfall on the Coast at Wattamolle, about 600 feet
P & SW 12.5 x 25.7 ML PXA1760 f.15
This view looks northwards along the sea cliffs towards Botany Bay. Wattamolle is a bay on the coast south of Sydney, between Botany Bay and Stanwell Park. In this area the sea cliff is similar to that in the view, commonly 600 feet high.
* Kiaa River, Twofold Bay [1835]
SW 13.2 x 21 ML PXA1760 f.16
Westmacott visited Twofold Bay in February-March 1835 with Governor Bourke. See also DLPX53 f.5, f.6, & f.9, plus Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 7, for views of this area of the far south coast of New South Wales.
* Botany Bay. 9 Miles to the Southward of Port Jackson
P & SW 11.1 x 23.2 ML PXA1760 f.17
View looking west from the sea into the entrance of Botany Bay.
* Bulli Bay on the Coast
P 14.2 x 23.3 ML PXA1760 f.18
View looking north along the coastline of northern Illawarra from Bulli Point. Similar view to that in PXA1760 f.13. The flagstaff in the centre left marks Westmacott's residence at Sandon Point, formerly called Waniora Point.
* On the "Hastings" River, NSW
P 13 x 21.3 ML PXA1760 f.19
View on the Hastings River, west of Port Macquarie, with natives in the foreground fishing.
* On the Coast, near Stanwell Park
SW 9.5 x 25.2 ML PXA1760 f.20
A view looking north along the sea cliffs of northern Illawarra, towards Stanwell Park and Bald Hill, the large rounded hill in the right background of the drawing. This area is presently famous for hang gliding and was used by Lawrence Hargraves in his early experiments into flight.
* View from Sydney Cove looking down the Harbour towards Port Jackson Heads
SW 14.3 x 29.3 ML PXA1760 f.21
View looking east up Sydney Harbour, from the Rocks area, showing Fort Macquarie on the right, and Kirribilli on the left. Pinchgut is the small island in the centre of the view.
* Middle Harbour looking West
SW 14.3 x 23.2 ML PXA1760 f.22
This drawing reveals the rugged sandstone terrain lining the foreshores of Port Jackson. The view is looking west towards the Spit.
* Looking down Middle Harbour towards the Sea. Ship from England coming in
SW 14.3 x 23.2 ML PXA1760 f.23
View looking east towards the Heads from Middle Harbour, with North Head seen on the left.
* Menzies Falls, Illawarra
W/C & SW 18.5 x 18 ML PXA1760 f.24
Possibly present-day Minamurra Falls, west of Jamberoo. During the early 1840's Jamberoo was settled by Dr Robert and Margaret Menzies, whose residence "Minamurra House" still survives. During this period the falls may have been known as Menzies Falls, though as Minamurra Falls they are today a popular tourist attraction. Captain Westmacott and Doctor Menzies were acquaintances, sitting together on the committee of the Illawarra Agricultural & Horticultural Society (1844-46) and founding members of the Illawarra Masonic Lodge.
* Waniora River, Co. Cook, N.S.W.
P 14.3 x 23.3 ML PXA1760 f.26
View from the Sydney - Illawarra road, in the Sutherland area. See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 16, for a lithographic copy of this work, incorrectly titled "Wooranora River", and the accompanying letterpress text description.
* Watsons Bay, Port Jackson
SW 14.3 x 20.9 ML PXA1760 f.27
View from Watsons Bay, looking west towards Sydney.
* Hunters River
SW 12.3 x 26.8 ML PXA1760 f.28
View looking west, up the Hunter River. Aborigines in a canoe fishing in the left foreground.
* Sydney from the North Shore
SW 14.2 x 23.2 ML PXA1760 f.29
View looking south towards Sydney, with a road in the centre foreground.
* Huts of the Natives
SW & W/C 10.2 x 21.4 ML PXA1760 f.30
Detailed view of the thatched huts (termed "gumoyas") used by natives in the Illawarra area. Front and rear view, with a female aboriginal and child in the hut to the left. Similar huts are seen in Westmacott's lithograph Condons Creek (Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 15), and the pencil sketch Green Point and Five Islands, Illawarra (PXA1760 f.8). A description is included in the text accompanying Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 12.
* Natives
W/C 23.7 x 21.4 ML PXA1760 f.31
Portraits of an elder Aboriginal man, draped in an oppossum rug, standing next to a seated youth wearing only a loin cloth. See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 12, for a lithograph of the elder man, positioned next to two seated aboriginal women from the drawing DLPX53 f.27.
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Drawings of Sydney and New South Wales
Dixson Library, DLPX53. Album originally offered for sale as lot 634 in the Museum Book Store sale of 1929, from the Westmacott family collection and with a reserve of Ł135. In that sale it was titled "Westmacott Drawing Book", and also included 12 drawings of Mauritius (see NLA NK762/43-72). The Album (oblong folio, bound in contemporary half morocco) contains 28 works in watercolour, wash and pencil. Purchased by Sir William Dixson.
* Sydney from above Great Syrius Cove
P & W/C 17.3 x 36.9 DLPX53 f.1
A finely detailed pencil sketch, looking south west across Great Syrius Cove and Port Jackson towards Sydney.
* On the Nepean, New South Wales. View on the Nepean
P & SW 16.6 x 22.4 DLPX53 f.2
Shows the steep terrain through which the Nepean River flows, south west of Sydney.
* Port Jackson Harbour and Sydney
SW 14 x 26.7 DLPX53 f.3
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 4, for a lithograph of this view titled "View of Sydney, from above Vaucluse", looking west up Port Jackson towards Sydney.
* Bulli, Illawarra, N.S.Wales, my cottage [1838-44]
W/C 22.4 x 43.2 DLPX53 f.4
View looking north across the front portion of Westmacott's house at Sandon Point, Bulli. This property was purchased from Cornelius O'Brien in 1837 and expanded upon by Westmacott. He lived there with his family for about seven years, until he was forced to sell in 1844 due to financial difficulties. The family moved into another house built by Westmacott, titled "Woodlands", situated to the west of this property, where they resided between 1844-47. A watercolour view of "Woodlands" is portrayed in NLA NK762/11. Note the specially laid-out, well-tendered garden, and the Westmacott's walking amongst their children at play. Norfolk Island pines from this garden still grow in the area.
* Marombet River, Twofold Bay (Bedouin Mountain 4000ft) [1835]
P & W/C 11.5 x 40.7 DLPX53 f.5
A finely detailed pencil drawing looking west across Twofold Bay towards Bedouin Mountain. Westmacott visited Twofold Bay in February-March 1835 with Governor Bourke, travelling there aboard the HMS Hyacinth.
* Twofold Bay. Boyd Town. Sheltered from S.E. Anchorage from the North for Men of War. Sheltered from S.E. [1835]
P & W/C 8.9 x 45.8 DLPX53 f.6
A finely detailed pencil drawing of Twofold Bay, looking west from near the entrance. Recorded during Westmacott's visit there in 1835. Bedouin Mountain is seen in the distance.
* Mountain Pass from Jamberoo to Bong Bong, Illawarra NSW
P 22.4 x 22.4 DLPX53 f.7
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 11, for a lithograph of this view. This distinctive geographical feature is located in the mountain range west of the present-day township of Jamberoo.
* Port Jackson Harbour with "Shark" and "Garden" Islands
W/C 14 x 26.9 DLPX53 f.8
View looking west across Port Jackson towards Sydney, with Shark Island and Garden Island the two islands in the centre.
* Jiggama River - NSW on East Coast [1835]
P & W/C 15.3 x 24.2 DLPX53 f.9
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 7, for a lithograph of this view titled "The Jiggama River near Pambula" on the far south coast of New South Wales, just north of Twofold Bay. A finely detailed pencil sketch.
* View from the Maneroo Mountains, looking on the valley through which the Kaia River flows
SW 11.5 x 17.3 DLPX53 f.10
See Series of Views in Australia, 1838, plate 5, for a lithograph of this view, titled "View from Bourke's Pass, on the Maneroo Range, New South Wales. Mount Westmacott in the distance".
* Sydney, Botany Bay in the distance. Botany Bay
SW 12.7 x 21.1 DLPX53 f.11. View from the north shore, looking south towards Botany Bay.
* The Blow Hole at Kiama, Illawarra - an exhausted crater. The swell of the sea washes through an aperature walled by very beautiful basaltic columns running inland about 1/4 Mile, and dashes against the sides of the crater.
P & SW 23.7 x 25.4 DLPX53 f.12. See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 9, for a lithograph of this view.
* Encamping for the night at the foot of the Maneroo Range of Mountains
P & W/C 14 x 22.4 DLPX53 f.13
Possibly a view of Governor Bourke's travelling party during an excursion through the Maneroo Range (Southern Tablelands) of New South Wales.
* Government House, Sydney
P & W/C 14.8 x 22.4 DLPX53 f.14
View looking south west towards the new Government House at Bennelong Point, completed in 1844.
* Tom Thumbs Lagoon, Illawarra The Five Islands
P & W/C 17.3 x 26.2 DLPX53 f.15
View looking east from a point upon the Illawarra escarpment just south of Mount Keira. Looking towards Red Point, the Five Islands, and Lake Illawarra.
* Illawarra Lake
P 17.3 x 27 DLPX53 f.16
View looking east from a point upon the Illawarra escarpment towards Lake Illawarra and Bass Point. See Series of Views in Australia, 1838, plate 6, for a lithograph of this view. Also Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 13, is of a similar view.
[NB: At some point a sketch titled "Town of Wollongong and Harbour" was attached to the leaf containing "Illawarra Lake", as the former inscription remains. This most likely refers to the watercolour "Wollongong from the Stockade, April 20th, 1840" in the National Library of Australia collection - see seperate entry, this Catalogue.]
* Nepean River, Nortons Basin
SW 16.1 x 19.1 DLPX53 f.17
Norton's Basin is located at the confluence of the Warragamba and Nepean Rivers, south west of Penrith.
* Nepean River, Nortons Basin
SW & I 15.3 x 21.1 DLPX53 f.18
View of the Nepean River, in the vicinity of Nortons Basin.
* River Nepean
SW & I 16.1 x 21.1 DLPX53 f.19
View of the Nepean River.
* Fort Macquarie Sydney
SW 17.3 x 23.2 DLPX53 f.20
View looking west showing Fort Macquarie and the Government Stables, prior to the building of Government House.
* Para Creek, Illawarra Mount Kembla
P & SW 11 x 16.6 DLPX53 f.24
View looking west across Tom Thumbs Lagoon towards Mount Kembla.
* Mount Keera Belambi NSW
P & SW 11 x 13.1 DLPX53 f.25
View looking south-west across Para Creek, Towradgi, towards Mount Keira. Para Creek was also known as Fairy Creek. The area between Wollongong and Bulli was generally known as "Belambi" during Westmacott's residence in the district.
* Native Woman of the Murray River, N.S.Wales
P & SW 15.3 x 12.7 DLPX53 f.26
Portrait of an aboriginal woman, squatting, draped in an oppossum rug and wearing a head ornament.
* Native Women
SW 14.5 x 12.7 DLPX53 f.27
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 12, for a reverse image lithograph of these two aboriginal women, seated next to the aboriginal man portrayed in PXA1760 f.31.
* Jervis Bay, the East Coast. N.S.Wales a Fine Harbour [1835]
SW 15.3 x 23.2 DLPX53 f.28
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 17, for a lithograph of this view, looking north east towards the entrance to Jervis Bay. Westmacott visited the area in 1835, whilst en route to Twofold Bay with Governor Bourke, aboard the HMS Hyacinth.
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Drawings of New South Wales 1840-46
Album containing 31 works in watercolour, plus a pencil drawing, in the National Library of Australia, Nan Kivell collection, NK762/1-32. Originally offered for sale as lot 635 in the Museum Book Store sale of 1929, reserve Ł145, wherein it was titled "Captain Westmacott's Original Drawings". Purchased by Rex Nan Kivell. The pencil drawing (NK762/32) was added at a later stage as it is not mentioned in the Museum Book Store catalogue.
* From Sydney Cove, Government House, and Harbour
W/C & P 14.8 x 23.5 NK762/1
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 3, for a lithograph of this view, showing Fort Macquarie, with Garden and Clarke Islands in the background, Government House on the right, and Pinchgut on the left.
* Terragong swamp not since covered by the sea, the land very rich
W/C & P 17.8 x 24.7 NK762/2
View looking north across Terragong Swamp, west of Kiama. This area is a rich section of farm land. In the view the swamp is flooded.
* Looking across the Illawarra Lake upon the Dapto country showing the mouth of the Macquarie River
W/C 17.9 x 23.7 NK762/3
View looking west across Lake Illawarra towards Dapto.
* Valley of Jamberoo, N.S.W.
W/C & P 25.7 x 26.8 NK762/4
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 10, for a lithograph of this view, looking south west across Jamberoo Valley towards the Illawarra mountain range. Woodstock Mills are seen in the right foreground, with Minamurra River, the snake-like stream flowing by.
* View from Mount Terry, looking towards Lake Illawarra
W/C & P 17.7 x 23.7 NK762/5
View looking north across Lake Illawarra from the vicinity of modern day Albion Park. An aboriginal on the road in the foreground is draped in a richly coloured, ornamental rug.
* Darling Harbour on the west side, looking on Balmain and Pyrmont "Balmain" "To Parramatta"
W/C & SW 14 x 22.7 NK762/6
View looking from the eastern side of Darling Harbour towards Balmain on the left, and west towards Parramatta.
* Valley on the new line of road from Illawarra to Sydney [c.1844]
W/C 13.9 x 22.6 NK762/7
Possibly the valley of the Cataract River, since dammed. A new line of road was surveyed by Major T.L. Mitchell in 1843 and opened the following year. Around this time Westmacott also discovered a new route up the mountain at Bulli. This road was for many years known as Westmacott Pass, and closely followed the modern-day Bulli Pass.
* Sydney Heads from Garden Island
W/C 23.7 x 26.7 NK762/8
View looking east from Garden Island, with Sydney Heads on the left and Shark Island to the centre.
* Port Jackson Heads, Shark Island
W/C 9.2 x 24.2 NK762/9
View from Milsons Point, looking north east across Shark Island towards Sydney Heads.
* Botany Bay Heads from Newtown
W/C 25.6 x 26.6 NK762/10
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 5, for a lithograph of this view, looking east across to Botany Bay. In the 1848 lithograph figures have been added in the foreground.
* My cottage, Woodlands, Illawarra, N.S.W. [1844-47]
W/C 23.8 x 26.7 NK762/11
This view is of Westmacott's second residence at Bulli, where he lived with his family between 1844-47. Note the extensive garden and the vines upon the front verandah. Westmacott was obviously a keen gardener judging by the two surviving views of his Illawarra residences. "Woodlands" was a classic Australian house - built of weatherboard, with spacious verandahs and of single story construction. It was ideally suited to the region's temperate climate. See also DLPX53 f.5 for a view of his first Bulli residence.
* Coast view looking north of Kiama
W/C 16.3 x 24.4 NK762/12
Looking north towards Bombo. Much of the cliff line in this area has been removed by recent quarrying for basalt, used as road ballast.
* Kangaroo 7 feet
W/C 10.4 x 23.2 NK762/13
Drawing of two kangaroos, one standing with a joey in its pouch, and the other feeding.
* Coal Cliffs, Illawarra, N.S.W.
W/C 9.7 x 26.1 NK762/14
View looking towards Bells Point, on the northern side of Austinmer beach. Note the exposed coal-seams in black, a feature exaggerated by Westmacott.
* View in the Cowpasture district
W/C 14.3 x 21.6 NK762/15
Landscape in the Cowpastures district, near Camden, with two emus in the foreground.
* Coal Cliffs, Co. Cumberland
W/C 26.6 x 23.7 NK762/16
Coastal view looking north in the Austinmer-Coledale area of northern Illawarra. Note the coal seams in the cliffs, outcropping at the shoreline.
* The course shipping take, from the Heads to Sydney
P 26.6 x 23.7 NK762/17a
Diagrammatic pencil sketch, based on a plan of Sydney Harbour, showing the zig-zag course shipping takes upon entering Port Jackson.
* View of Sydney Harbour from the Domain
W/C 23.7 x 26.6 NK762/17b
See Sketches in Australia, 1848, plate 2, for a lithograph of this view plus accompanying description.
* Port Jacksons Heads, N.S.W.
W/C 23.7 x 26.6 NK762/18
View of the Heads of Port Jackson, taken from aboard a vessel, looking west. A rather crude drawing - possibly not by Westmacott, but one of his children. On top of South Head to the left is the Macquarie Lighthouse and an adjacent flagstaff. A number of vessels are seen manoeuvering to enter Port Jackson.
* Darling Harbour from one of the numerous bays on the North Shore
W/C 14.4 x 23.2 NK762/19
View looking south, with Sydney and Darling Harbour in the distance.
* Bulli, Illawarra
W/C 13.9 x 22.7 NK762/20
See ML PXA1760 f.13 for a pencil sketch of this view, looking north west from Bulli Point across to Westmacott's house upon the ridge in the centre of this view, at Sandon Point. See also DLPX53 f.5 for a close-up view of this residence.
* Newcastle, the coal mines of N.S.W. Piles of coals used as a lighthouse. Town of Newcastle. Telegraph. Hunters River
W/C 9.4 x 42.3 NK762/21
An important work, looking south across Newcastle headland from Colliers Point, with the telegraph station on the right, and a pile of burning coal substituting as a lighthouse, on the left. The town of Newcastle is seen in the centre of the view, with the Hunter River to the far right.
* Bulli, from the Coal Cliffs, Illawarra
W/C 20.8 x 26.6 NK762/22
View looking south from the rock platform and sea cliffs near Austinmer. Note the horizontal coal seams drawn in by Westmacott, evidence of his keen interest in pursuing coal mining in the area around 1840. Two Aboriginals are seen fishing with spears from the rock ledge. Sandon Point, with Westmacott's residence, is seen in the distance.
* Kangaroo Valley, Illawarra, New S.Wales
W/C & P 9.5 x 13.3 NK762/23
View of a steep ravine in the Kangaroo Valley area.
* Country to the N.W. on the Bathurst Road, dense forest and as far as penetrated deep gullies, very rocky and unprofitable land
W/C 7 x 20.6 NK762/24
View looking north west from the Blue Mountains road.
* Waterfall near Curramore
W/C & P 20.8 x 20.7 NK762/25
Possibly Belmore Falls, west of Jamberoo. Another larger work in plumbago of this view was sold at the Museum Book Store sale of 1929. See Unlocated Works section in this Catalogue.
* Near the Waranora River
W/C 14.1 x 23 NK762/26
Possibly a view looking towards Mount Westmacott (near present-day Waterfall) in the mountainous region between Illawarra and Sydney. See also Series of Views in Australia, 1838, plate 5, for another view of Mount Westmacott. Two kangaroos are seen in the foreground.
* Entrance to "Illawarra Lake" from the sea. Pass to Berrima, Kembla, Keira
W/C 23.7 x 24 NK762/27
View looking west across Lake Illawarra towards Macquarie Pass and the Illawarra mountains. Taken from the area of present-day Warrawong near the entrance to Lake Illawarra. An aboriginal fishing with a spear is seen in the centre foreground. Similar views from this same locality were taken by Conrad Martens in 1835 and John Skinner Prout in 1842-44.
* Hawkesbury River
W/C 10.3 x 14.4 NK762/28
Unfinished watercolour. Specific locality on the Hawkesbury River as yet undetermined.
* Sydney Heads, N.S.Wales
W/C 9 x 12.2 NK762/29
Unfinished watercolour, looking east towards Sydney Heads.
* View in the Kangaroo Valley showing the manner the natives climb the trees for oppossums and bandicoots
W/C 15 x 24.5 NK762/30
An important ethnographic work dealing with the habits of the aborigines in the Kangaroo Valley district of Illawarra. George French Angas also recorded a similar scene from the Dapto area in August 1845, with aborigines scaling the slender cabbage palms.
* Sydney from the Lighthouse
W/C 14.8 x 23 NK762/31
View from the Macquarie lighthouse, South Head, looking west across Watsons Bay and Middle Harbour towards Sydney.
* Waterfall near Sydney
P 19.6 x 16.7 NK762/32
Locality unknown - possibly Willoughby Falls, on the North Shore. This pencil sketch was not noted in the original Museum Book Store sale of 1929.
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* Wollongong from the Stockade, April 20th, 1840
W/C 19.3 x 32 NLA
Unsigned - attributed to R.M. Westmacott by the author. According to an inscription in the album DLPX53, at f.13, a sketch titled "Town of Wollongong and Harbour" was once inserted there. The above work, attributed to Westmacott according to style, date, and locality, is possibly that work. The depiction of figures in this watercolour is almost identical to that in Westmacott's work "Bulli, Illawarra, my cottage" (DLPX53 f.4), thereby enhancing the attribution. Reproduced: Henderson, p.85.
This view of Wollongong from the convict stockade on Flagstaff Hill is important for a number of reasons:
- It is the first detailed view of the township of Wollongong, looking south west across the town with many of its first buildings clearly identifiable
- It is dated and accurately titled
- It contains a rare view of convicts working at breaking stone for the harbour construction at Wollongong, along with members of the local military garrison patrolling nearby. Contemporary views of the convict and military aspects of New South Wales society are rare.
Buildings and places shown in this view include:
- Waterloo Stores - the two storied building on the far right, which acted as a bond store, servicing shipping at Wollongong Harbour.
- Roman Catholic Church - on the far left, with its distinctive bell tower. Located at the foot of Crown Street.
- St Andrews Presbyterian Church - on the hill in the right background.
- Mount Kembla - the large, rounded hill in the right background, behind St Andrew's. Westmacott has taken some artistic licence in his depiction of Mount Kembla, somewhat over emphasising its size.
- Brighton Beach - in the lower right corner, with a small boat laid up on shore; two men (convicts) sitting on a rock; and another working at breaking up stone for the harbour construction work then being carried out.
- Two soldiers of the 80th Regiment of Foot, then stationed at the Wollongong stockade, marching up the road by Brighton beach, with muskets in hand.
- Wollongong Post Office - the small shed in the centre of the view, with a lady and child standing outside.
- The Government Garrison - the buildings behind the police paddock, where the two cows are grazing. The Garrison included, from right to left (west to east), the courthouse and lockup, with three cells behind; the house of the Commandant and resident Police Magistrate (the large building with two chimneys and bush in front); the soldiers barracks (large building with single chimney); and a small wooden watch-house, which also doubled as the flagellator's residence. Further to the left are the sand hills adjacent to Wollongong beach.
- The wooded area in the background is the Government township south of Crown Street, at that stage undeveloped.
It is unfortunate that Westmacott did not title his many other works so accurately.
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Drawings of New Zealand 1840-50
Westmacott's New Zealand views consist of 11 works in the National Library of Australia, plus 5 offered for sale at the Museum Book Store in 1929, present whereabouts unknown.
The National Library material consists of an album containing 10 works in watercolour, wash and pencil (Nan Kivell collection, NK762/33-42), plus a single watercolour. The album was originally offered for sale as part of lot 901 in the Museum Book Store sale with a reserve of Ł55. It was purchased by Rex Nan Kivell for Ł95. In that sale the album was titled "Westmacott's Drawing Book, 1840". No evidence has been found of the date of Westmacott's visit to New Zealand, and none of the works is specifically dated. Some may have been executed around 1850.
- Tory Channel, Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand Native Fort
- Auckland Harbour from the Bastion Rock
- Mungaroo Bridge, Upper Hutt
- On the Mokau River, West Coast, N.Z.
- Middle entrance to Auckland Harbour, New Zealand
- Bow of a war canoe, New Zealand
- Stern of a war canoe. The carved work is by means of flints
- Pakuratahi River nr. Wairarapa, N.Z. Hutt River
- One of the Hill Chiefs, N.Z.
- Hot lime springs, N.Zealand, the purest Lime and always flowing quite hot [1850]
- New Zealand canoe, going to sea as pilots
- On the `Waikato', New Zealand
- Native Chief, New Zealand
- Chief's Wife, New Zealand
- The Wife and Child of the Chief "Massanoota", she is seldom without her pipe
- Heki: The commander in chief during the late War. He died of consumption in 1849, caused by a blow he received from his wife in a fit of jealousy
- Tory Channel, Queen Charlotte Sound [1851]
Refer RM Westamcott in New Zealand for further detailed description of these works.
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New South Wales & Cape Horn 1851
R.M. Westmacott returned to New South Wales with his family on the 8th February 1851, as General Superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company. After a brief, eventful stay, he returned to England, minus his wife, on the 25th August, aboard the Mountstuart.
* The Road to the Diggings at Bathurst [1851]
P & W/C 16.1 x 29.1 DLPX53 f.21
Gold was discovered in the Summer Hill area on the 12th February 1851, and made known to the public by the Sydney Morning Herald on the 15th May. Westmacott was on hand to witness the earliest days of the rush, as he travelled between Sydney and the A.A.Co. headquarters at Stroud.
* The Diggings at "Ophir" Creek - near Bathurst [1851]
P & W/C 17.3 x 26.7 DLPX53 f.22
The first mining for gold at Ophir Creek was in late May, 1851. This view was recorded sometime between June-August of that year.
* Cape Horn, the Southern extremity of South America. Straits of Magellan 300 Miles. Iceberg. Diego Romianor - Small Island off Cape Horn. Lat 56.8 Long 70 W. At October. For some days it is continually dry. For sometime it was this as we passed for 84 hours [1851]
P 16.1 x 25 DLPX53 f.23
This view was taken whilst on the return journey to England aboard the Mountstuart, following Westmacott's disastrous episode as General Superintendent to the Australian Agricultural Company. The Mountstuart would have passed Cape Horn during October 1851. This drawing was not mentioned in the Museum Book Store catalogue with the sale of the rest of the album DLPX53, possibly being added at some later stage.
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Drawings of South America, Mauritius and other places
This is the tile of an album containing 30 works in sepia wash, pencil, and watercolour, in the National Library of Australia, Nan Kivell Collection, NK762/43-72. Originally offered for sale as part of lots 634 and 901 in the Museum Book Store sale of 1929, from the Westmacott family collection. Containing views of Mauritius (1825-26), Brazil (1858), Lisbon, Marseilles and Abyssinia.
According to the Museum Book Store catalogue, 12 views of Mauritius were offered for sale as part of lot 634; and 25 drawings of "Brazils, South America and other places" were offered with lot 901. These views have subsequently been incorporated into the one album.
Some chronological divisions may be made within the 30 extant works. Those of Mauritius may be dated at 1825-26, whilst those of South America were executed during 1858.
Refer RM Westamcott in Mauritius and South Africa for further detailed description of these works.
* Mauritius 1825-26
- Port Louis Harbour, aqueduct and hospital from Grand River NW. Mauritius, or Isle of France, Civil Hospital and Signal Station
- Ravine near Reduit. Ravine through which the Grande Rivere flows into the sea.
- The "Trois Memel". Where Paul and Virginia lost themselves when upon their road to Black River to buy off the runaway slave
- The Falls at the "Oaks", "Terre Rouge", Mauritius
- The Champagne River and Lion Couchant Mountain
- The Morne, Black River
- Champs de Mars and Montagne D'ecouverte
- Reduit, the Governor's Country Residence Mauritius
- Peter Botte (1) and Pouce (2)
- Military post at Yacote
- Seascape
* South America 1858
- Pernambuco Railway, the first tunnel 1 mile 3/4
- On the railway, the birds are the gangangs of large size and will kill the largest snakes
- "Villa da Cabo", nr Pernambuco, Brazils
- Lake on the top of a mountain 20 miles inland and 2000ft above the level of the sea
- The Female Convict Settlement of Brazils. The island of Fernandez Norohna 3 S.Lat 33.W. Longt.
- The Islands of St Vincent & St Antonio. St Antonio & St Vincents, Cape Verde Islands
- The wooden bridge which unites "Pernambuco" to "Saint Antonia"
- "Jabato" Bridge. "Jabato" Bridge, Pernambuco Railway, all of Iron. Built at Newcastle
- Isle of "Rodondo", Brazils. The Island of "Rodondo", Brazils, much infested with poisonous Snakes, Reptiles & Insects
- Coaster, Pernambuco, S.America
- Fishing Catamaran, Pernambuco, S.A.
- Town of "Olinda".
- "Pernambuco" on the Coast of Brazil in Lat 8.5.S Long 34W contains 60,000 inhabitants, the Town is large, streets narrow, some fine Churches, some beautiful Villas in the Environs - a Ledge of Rocks runs in paralel line about 1/4 mile in front for about 220 miles, forming a natural Harbour, for vessels drawing 15ft Water. The Light House stands on the North extremity, the exports consists of Cotton, Sugar, Hides, Spices, etc, etc, 1858 The finest Diamonds come from this locality. This is about the hottest part of the World, seldom under 90o and often 120o
- "Teneriffe" showing the fort. In trying to take this, Lord Nelson lost his Arm and the Union Jack from the Bows of his Boat which is now hung up in the cathedral at "Santa Cruz"
- Rio Janeiro, seat of government, Brazils. St Sebastian, long 42.39W 22.54S lat. Serpent Island
- The Yellow Fever hospital
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* Other Places
* On approaching "Marseilles" from the Eastward
SW & W/C 10.5 x 27.5 NK762/61
View of the entrance to the harbour, with a steamer in the foreground flying French flags.
* Lisbon - Black Horse Square, landing place, Citadel, Convent.
P 15.8 x 29 NK762/63
A panorama in two sections of Lisbon from the sea, with numerous examples of contemporary shipping in the harbour.
* The River Hododa, Abyssinia, not navigable
SW 16.5 x 19.3 NK762/68
View looking up the Hododa River, bounded by steep cliffs and rugged terrain. Two figures in left foreground.
* House and Garden
P 16 x 21 NK762/70
View of a two story, gabled roof house in a lush garden setting. Locality unknown, possibly European.
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* Unidentified Panorama [1860s]
W/C 42.8 x 196 DGXV*General 6
View of an English township. Attributed to Westmacott by Sir William Dixson. Donated to the Dixson Gallery by Dixson in 1950.
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Watercolour 16 7/8 x 79 3/4 " DG XV*General
Presented by Sir William Doxson. Possibly an English view.
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Unlocated Works
Apart from those works in sketchbook and album collections, plus the few isolated watercolours already mentioned, there are a number of works whose creation is known but present location is unknown. Of those sold at the Museum Book Store in 1929, eight have not been located - four are described as follows, with the remainder in the New Zealand section of this Catalogue:
* Falls of Curramore, N.S.W.
Plumbago 38.1 x 28
Museum Book Store sale, 1929, lot 636. Reserve Ł3.3.0. Curramore is in Illawarra, west of Kiama. See also NK762/25 for a similarly titled view.
* The Island of St Paul's, Indian Ocean, Lat 37.57S Long 77.48
Plumbago 21.1 x 42
Museum Book Store sale, 1929, lot 1140. Reserve Ł2.2.0.
* Port Jackson Harbour entrance; runs inland 16 miles, vessels of any tonnage may go up 14 miles
SW & CW 14.5 x 41.5
Museum Book Store sale, 1929, lot 901.
* Destructive fire at the Albion Mill [1841]
Lithograph
See Section 1: Lithographs, for reference to this work.
* Tory Channel, Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand 1851
Lithograph
See Section 1: Lithographs, for reference to this work.
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First compiled: 1993
Site last updated: 5 February 2005
Michael Organ, Australia
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