Port Stephens was identified by Captain Cook and was settled in 1816. It was the base for the Australian Agricultural Company established by Hanibal MacArthur and other well connected English businessmen. The poor soils influenced the company to move to better areas and Port Stephens developed as a fishing, tourist and retirement area.
The artist, John Skinner Prout (1805-1876) emigrated from Britain in 1840 with his family. He was an established professional artist with his own lithographic press. Mainly a water-colourist and lithographer, he is regarded as one of the finest colonial artists of the period.
1874.
Steel engraving.
Later hand-colouring.
116x 183 mm. Image size.
Good condition.