Wheat Ships, Darling Harbour

Artist Frederick Elliott (Australian, 1864 - 1949)

Date1910 - 1920

Object number00003000

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper, frame

DimensionsSight: 281 x 386 mm
Overall: 576 x 651 x 25 mm, 2.65 kg
Mount: 490 x 560 mm
Display Dimensions: 545 x 620 x 30 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis watercolour entitled 'Wheat Ships, Darling Harbour' was painted by Frederick Elliott. This painting shows the important grain trade out of the port of Sydney in the early 20th century, depicting the cargo wharves and the ships used to transport this cargo.HistoryShip painters of colonial Australia supplied a growing market of owners, officers and crew of the thousands of ships visiting Australian ports. Artists worked around the country, painting faithful portraits of ships under sail or steam. From the late 19th century artists began to work with photographers to provide accurate detail. Paintings and photographs were offered on board to be carried back to home ports around the world. Fred Elliott was active in Sydney from around the 1880s to 1930. He also worked in Brisbane. Despite a prolific output of watercolours on marine subjects, little is known about him. He is said to have sold his paintings around waterfront pubs for the price of a few drinks. His style combines a romantic use of soft light, mist and reflections, with a realism arising from an accurate knowledge of ships and associated maritime elements. His works were almost never dated and were usually untitled or given very general titles.SignificanceThis painting is an excellent example of Elliott's work, combining his delicacy of style with accuracy of detail. It has particular significance because it names the location and type of shipping, which with the attention to detail, gives documentary value to the work.