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The residence of Edward Riley Esq, Wooloomooloo near Sydney NSW
The residence of Edward Riley Esq, Wooloomooloo near Sydney NSW

The residence of Edward Riley Esq, Wooloomooloo near Sydney NSW

Maker
Publisher
Date1825
Object number00000880
NameAquatint
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 179 x 282 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis aquatint was printed in 'Views in Australia or New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land' (1825) by Joseph Lycett. It was first published in thirteen parts on a subscription basis by J Souter and subsequently as one volume. This work depicts a large colonial home near the waters edge at Woolloomooloo, Sydney. It was the residence of Edward Riley, a successful merchant who built the house in 1824. A couple can be seen standing on a ledge near the water.HistoryEdward Riley (1784-1825) was born in England and was a successful merchant. He spent several years in India before arriving in Sydney with his family in 1816. Riley was one of the richest settlers and from 1821 served as a Magistrate in the colony. He built the residence at Woolloomooloo in 1824. At the time of his death (suicide) he owned land at Surry Hills, Minto and Mittagong. Located close to the initial British settlement in Sydney Cove, Woolloomooloo was granted to John Palmer in 1793. The area was gradually subdivided and settled by families and was a desirable place to live. During the 19th century it became more urbanised and the construction of the Finger Wharf in 1915 industrialised the area. The wharf ceased being utilised in the 1970s and lay derelict before being modernised in the late 20th century with Woolloomooloo once again becoming a desirable location to live. Joseph Lycett, a professional painter of portraits and miniatures, was transported to New South Wales, as a convict, for forgery in 1814. Following his conditional discharge in 1819 he travelled and painted landscapes in the two colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, adopting the role of unofficial government artist (Wantrup) After gaining an absolute pardon in 1821, he returned to England, and found a publisher to produce his views in 13 monthly parts between July 1824 and June 1825. Demand immediately proved strong enough for the proposed lithographic plates to be replaced by aquatints. On completion of the parts issue, the work was published in book form. Wantrup calls Lycett 'the outstanding artist of his period in Australia’ and his publication 'a landmark in the development of the Australian illustrated book'.SignificanceThis work represents one of the early private residences in the New South Wales colony.