Painting
Maker & role
George Edwards Peacock (b.1806, d.circa 1890), Attributed Artist/Maker
Production date
1845
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Object detail
Title
Port Jackson N.S.W. showing Observatory.
Production place
Collection
Measurements
Painting, H: 35.5 x W: 76.5cm (H: 355 x W: 765mm); Frame, H: 53 x W: 93cm (H: 530 x W: 930mm)
Production notes
This painting is attributed to George Peacock. His partial signature & date is on a brown piece of paper that was attached to the painting, but the painting itself is not signed.
Subject Place
Signature & marks
- 'Port Jackson N.S.W./ Showing Observatory./ G.E. Peacock. 1845' (Brown paper label pasted on reverse & handwritten, probably by the artist - signature partially obscured).
- 'P053/ George Edwards Peacock (1806-?)/ Port Jackson N.S.W. Showing/ Observatory. G.E. Peacock, 1845/ 1845' (handwritten) & 'CLYDE BANK/ 43 LOWER FORT STREET,/ THE ROCKS, SYDNEY 2000/ TELEPHONE: (02) 9241 4776/ FACSIMILE: (02) 9251 4991' (Typed text) - (Clyde Bank label attached to reverse in bottom right corner).
- 'P053/ George Edward Peacock/ Port Jackson N.S.W. Showing/ Observatory 1845' (handwritten) & 'CLYDE BANK/ 43 LOWER FORT STREET,/ THE ROCKS, SYDNEY 2000/ TELEPHONE: (02) 9241 4776/ FACSIMILE: (02) 9251 4991' (Typed text) - (Clyde Bank label attached to reverse in top right corner).
- 'P053/ George Edwards Peacock (1806-?)/ Port Jackson N.S.W. Showing/ Observatory. G.E. Peacock, 1845/ 1845' (handwritten) & 'CLYDE BANK/ 43 LOWER FORT STREET,/ THE ROCKS, SYDNEY 2000/ TELEPHONE: (02) 9241 4776/ FACSIMILE: (02) 9251 4991' (Typed text) - (Clyde Bank label attached to reverse in bottom right corner).
- 'P053/ George Edward Peacock/ Port Jackson N.S.W. Showing/ Observatory 1845' (handwritten) & 'CLYDE BANK/ 43 LOWER FORT STREET,/ THE ROCKS, SYDNEY 2000/ TELEPHONE: (02) 9241 4776/ FACSIMILE: (02) 9251 4991' (Typed text) - (Clyde Bank label attached to reverse in top right corner).
Credit line
Gift, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2004
Caroline Simpson Collection, Museum of Sydney Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Collection, Museum of Sydney Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Port Jackson N.S.W. showing Observatory (1845)
Description
Oil painting of Port Jackson painted in 1845 and attributed to George Edwards Peacock. The artist is referring to Lieutenant Dawes' old Observatory at Dawes Point. The tall flagstaff on the hill signalled the arrival of sea craft to the South Head, where Peacock was assigned to assist in observing and forecasting the weather. Following his conditional pardon in 1846 he remained there as government meteorologist until 1856 when the station was apparently closed. The size of this painting indicates that it was probably commissioned by a local patron.
This acquisition is part of the Caroline Simpson Collection, originally housed at Clyde Bank, an 1820s Georgian mansion in The Rocks. Clyde Bank was acquired by Caroline Simpson in 1992 and, following its conservation, opened to the public in 1996 as a showcase for her private collection of Australian colonial furniture, pictures, objets d’art and images of colonial places from around the world. Caroline Simpson OAM (1930-2003) supported many causes during her lifetime, particularly the conservation and appreciation of Australia’s colonial heritage. Her philanthropy was generous but mostly anonymous.
This acquisition is part of the Caroline Simpson Collection, originally housed at Clyde Bank, an 1820s Georgian mansion in The Rocks. Clyde Bank was acquired by Caroline Simpson in 1992 and, following its conservation, opened to the public in 1996 as a showcase for her private collection of Australian colonial furniture, pictures, objets d’art and images of colonial places from around the world. Caroline Simpson OAM (1930-2003) supported many causes during her lifetime, particularly the conservation and appreciation of Australia’s colonial heritage. Her philanthropy was generous but mostly anonymous.
Accession number
MOS2005/8
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