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Kissing Point, New South Wales, The property of the late Mr James Squires
Kissing Point, New South Wales, The property of the late Mr James Squires

Kissing Point, New South Wales, The property of the late Mr James Squires

Maker
Publisher
Date1825
Object number00000878
NameAquatint
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 177 x 280 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis work was printed as plate number 8 in 'Views in Australia or New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land' (1825) by Joseph Lycett and published by J Souter. It was first published in thirteen parts on a subscription basis by J Souter and subsequently as one volume. Kissing Point (now Ryde) was where convict James Squires established a successful farm after gaining freedom in 1792. Squires is best remembered for being one of the first to operate a brewery in the colony.HistoryArtist Joseph Lycett and brewer James Squires established a friendship in NSW and Lycett included this work in his 'Views in Australia' in 1825 with the accompanying text: 'Kissing Point is situated at a distance of eight miles from Sydney, which is about half way from that town to Parramatta. The principal objects represented, besides the Scenery of Nature, are the house and other buildings on the Premises of the late Mr. James Squires, who resided there many years, having acquired a very considerable property as a Brewer. He was the whitbread of New South Wales; his beverage having a general good name throughout the Colony, and he himself being as universally respected and beloved for his amiable and useful qualities as a member of society, and more especially as the friend and protector of the lower class of settlers. Had he been less liberal, he might have died more wealthy; but his assistance always accompanied his advice to the poor and unfortunate, and his name will long be pronounced with veneration by the grateful objects of his liberality. The Point, called Kissing Point, is that which is seen next below the house, on the same side of the water. At the back of the house are several large paddocks, of very good land, which have been several years in a state of cultivation, having produced excellent crops of Wheat, Indian Corn, Hops, Potatoes, &c. c. On the left of the house appears an extensive Hop-ground; and numerous Orange and Lemon Trees, of very large growth, with which these gardens at the back of the house abound, are seen rising luxuriantly above the buildings. The house which is seen on the right is situated in the district of Concord: it is the property of a Mr. Bray, who has a large portion of land at the back of it, in a state of high cultivation. The Orange-trees, which are seen in front of the house, are of a very large size, and produce an extraordinary quantity of fruit of the finest flavour." James Squires (1754-1822) arrived in Australia onboard the First Fleet in 1788 as a convict sentenced to transportation for theft. He gained his freedom in 1792 and became a successful entrepreneur, operating many businesses including a brewery, bakery and butchers shop in addition to his farm. His funeral in 1822 was the largest ever held in the colony at that point, which is a testament to the esteem in which he was held. 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 documents the expansion of the colony beyond the initial settlement at Sydney Cove.