Caroline Simpson Collection

[Parramatta from grounds of H.H. Macarthur] / Conrad Martens

Martens, Conrad, 1801-1878.

[1837/1839]

1 painting : watercolour on paper ; 44.8 x 66 cm.

Unsigned.

Parramatta (N.S.W.)
Parramatta River (N.S.W.)

This watercolour relates to a pencil sketch, dated September 25 1837 and titled 'View of Parramatta', in the collection of the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW [ZPXC 971, f.2]. Another version of the watercolour, signed 'C. Martens 1838' is in the Mitchell Library at ZDLPg 15, and another in the National Gallery of Victoria, part of the Felton Bequest.
Martens' account book lists the sale of 4 versions of this painting: 'View Parramatta' sold to Capt. Philip Parker King on 10 October 1837 for 12 guineas; 'View of Parramatta' sold to Robert Mackenzie on 12 November 1838 for 15 guineas [now in NGV]; 'View of Parramatta' sold to Captain Wright on 1 Jan. 1839 for 15 guineas; and 'View of Parramatta' sold to L. Campbell Esq. on 4 April 1839 for 15 guineas. [Mitchell Library ZDL MS142]. The account book also lists a smaller version 'View of Parramatta' sold to Robert Scott Esq. on 30 March 1838 for 6 guineas.
The view is from the grounds of Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur's house, Vineyard, with Vineyard's jetty and landing-place in the foreground. A slightly different version of this painting is illustrated in James Jervis 'The cradle city of Australia: a history of Parramatta 1788-1961' [Parramatta City Council, 1961] as the frontispiece and Jervis identifies some of the buildings as follows: from the extreme right, the two-storied Newlands House, the twin spires of St. John's Parramatta and the large three-storied Commissariat Store in the centre left. Howell's Mill is in the centre right, with Pemberton Grange closer still to the viewpoint. Hambledon Cottage and Experiment Farm can be seen on the extreme left of the picture.

Kenneth R. Stewart Collection; H.W.B. Chester Collection, Australian Consolidated Press; Dr John Raven, Perth; Dallhold Collection (Alan Bond), Perth; Sotheby's (Melbourne) 23 August 1992 lot 181; Caroline Simpson Collection, Clyde Bank, The Rocks, Sydney, 1992-2004.

Douglas Dundas The art of Conrad Martens 1979, p.38; Diana de Bussy 'The Alan Bond Collection of Australian Art', Dallhold Investments Pty Ltd, 1990, p.41; Elizabeth Ellis Conrad Martens: life & art 1994, pp.152-153.

S.H. Ervin Museum and Art Gallery Conrad Martens centenary exhibition 1978; Art Gallery of New South Wales Conrad Martens: the H.W.B. Chester Memorial Collection centenary exhibition 1979-1980.

Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection ; Caroline Simpson Collection: L2005/21

You may save or print this image for research and study. If you wish to use it for any other purposes, you must contact Museums of History NSW to request permission.

Picture

30936