Painting
Maker & role
Louis Frank (d.1923), Artist
Production date
1884
See full details
Object detail
Title
Wollongong Old Lighthouse and Mount Keira
Production place
Collection
Measurements
Frame, H: 46 x W: 61.5cm (H: 460 x W: 615mm); Image, H: 22 x W: 37.5cm (H: 220 x W: 375mm)
Signature & marks
Inscribed in red paint, lower left "Louis Frank/1884"
Credit line
Purchase, 1985
Meroogal Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Meroogal Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Oil painting titled 'Wollongong Old Lighthouse and Mount Keira' by Louis Frank, 1884. Meroogal collection, Museums of History New South Wales.
Description
Oil painting depicting "Wollongong Old Lighthouse and Mount Keira" by Louis Frank. Rocks in left foreground of image, lighthouse in left centre atop a breakwater, line of coal carts on far side of harbour opening, ocean with boat to the far right, mountain in centre background. Stained cream card mount. Two timber panel backing boards. Timber frame with gesso painted black and gilt, three bevels and glass over.
A significant local landmark, construction of Wollongong's Breakwater Lighthouse (aka 'the old Wollongong lighthouse') was agreed to in Parliament in March 1869, commenced in 1870 and completed 2 years later, being first lit in early March 1872. It was built following the 1869 completion of the breakwater to protect and improve shipping in Wollongong harbour, plans for which were drawn up in 1860. Its construction played a significant role in the development of the Wollongong coal mines and the economy of the Illawarra, and on the far side of the harbour opening in the painting a line of linked coal carts [aka mine carts or mine hutches] can be seen. Constructed of prefabricated iron plates the lighthouse is 42 feet high and, though not depicted as such in the painting, its structure has a distinctive concave taper, from a diameter of 13’ at the foot to 8’ at the base of the lantern. The light itself, which initially cast a red beam, used an oil lamp that was converted to acetylene gas in 1883, and later to electricity. A second larger lighthouse was built 1937. Interestingly, the view shows the structure with decorative red painted stripes. The breakwater lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974, and the structure restored 1999-2000. The name of Mt. Keira, which forms the background of the painting, is derived from the Wodi Wodi name Geera/Djera. The mountain is of great spiritual signifiance to the Wodi Wodi people.
A significant local landmark, construction of Wollongong's Breakwater Lighthouse (aka 'the old Wollongong lighthouse') was agreed to in Parliament in March 1869, commenced in 1870 and completed 2 years later, being first lit in early March 1872. It was built following the 1869 completion of the breakwater to protect and improve shipping in Wollongong harbour, plans for which were drawn up in 1860. Its construction played a significant role in the development of the Wollongong coal mines and the economy of the Illawarra, and on the far side of the harbour opening in the painting a line of linked coal carts [aka mine carts or mine hutches] can be seen. Constructed of prefabricated iron plates the lighthouse is 42 feet high and, though not depicted as such in the painting, its structure has a distinctive concave taper, from a diameter of 13’ at the foot to 8’ at the base of the lantern. The light itself, which initially cast a red beam, used an oil lamp that was converted to acetylene gas in 1883, and later to electricity. A second larger lighthouse was built 1937. Interestingly, the view shows the structure with decorative red painted stripes. The breakwater lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974, and the structure restored 1999-2000. The name of Mt. Keira, which forms the background of the painting, is derived from the Wodi Wodi name Geera/Djera. The mountain is of great spiritual signifiance to the Wodi Wodi people.
Accession number
M86/124
Share
Maker
Object name
Contact Us
Head Office
The Mint, 10 Macquarie St
Sydney, NSW 2000
On Gadigal land
T 02 8239 2288
TTY 02 8239 2377
E info@mhnsw.au
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.