Images(2)

Cockatoo Island

Artist John Skinner Prout (1805 - 1876)

Engraver T Outhwaite

Publisher London, Virtue & Co (Founded 1849)

Datec 1874

Object number00008428

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 213 x 271 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionAn engraving by T.Outhwaite titled 'Cockatoo Island' after an artwork by John Skinner Prout. The image appeared in volume three of 'Australia' by Edwin Carton Booth and in Sydney Illustrated of 1846. The image shows Cockatoo Island with Spectacle Island to the left at the mouth of the Parramatta River in Sydney Harbour. On the reverse is written Verso inscribed 'EL/A (London 1874 - 76) view north-west from Balmain to Cockatoo island and Hunters Hill with Spectacle Island and Drummoyne at left, c1842'. HistoryJohn Skinner Prout was born in England and emigrated to Australia in 1840. He and his family first settled in Sydney, but when work for the artist was not forthcoming they moved to Van Diemen's Land in 1844. In the smaller colony he was more successful and he presented lectures on art and produced a folio of lithographs titles 'Tasmania Illustrated'. Prout returned to England in 1848 where he lectured on life in the colonies until his death in 1876.SignificanceHere John Skinner Prout shows the southern side of Wareamah, part of the country of the Wangal clan country, now referred to as Cockatoo Island. It clearly shows the effectiveness with which the vegetation had been cleared by the convicts in the three years they had been imprisoned there. It also shows the original topography of the island before large parts of it were quarried away and the extensive land reclamations undertaken.