Places

Date: 1851 - 1858

By: Gold, Charles Emilius, 1809-1871; Phillips, William Edward, active 1868

Reference: A-429-042

Description: Shows a view across the harbour towards the town buildings, with Plimmer's Ark noticeable on the foreshore, and the buildings of barracks on the more distant hill at the left. In the right foreground is a small jetty with a wooden hut or sentry box on the end of it, and wooden steps leading down to a moored rowing boat. In the left foreground a red canoe with a cargo possibly of fish or firewood is poled along by a seated tag-cloaked pipe-smoking figure, and a figure standing in a red cloak. The reflections of the canoe and the jetty and hut are clearly visible in the water in the foreground. Further away at the left are a yacht and a larger sailing ship seen end on. Attribution: Attributed to Gold on stylistic grounds, such as the reflections of the canoe and the awkwardness of the figures; see work by Gold at A-288-026. Another version of this watercolour, closely similar, is in Whanganui Museum, signed 'Dr Phillips pinxt'. The name Dr Phillips is not known as an artist resident in Wellington in the 1850s. One artist may have copied the other's work. William Edward Phillips registered as a medical practitioner in Nelson in 1867, but is not known to have been an artist Dating: Gold was based in Wellington between 1847 and 1858. 'Plimmer's Ark', the wrecked barque Inconstant, was moored at the junction of Lambton Quay and Willis Street from 1851 The sentry-box on the end of the wharf was located close to Government House, now the site of Parliament buildings, towards the north end of Lambton Quay Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, 223 x 277 mm.