YOUNG, John Henry

Sunset, Darling Harbor.

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c. Sydney,, 1910. Original watercolour on artist's watercolour board, 240 mm. x 530 mm.; in excellent condition, signed 'J.H. Young', dated '24.4.10' on the verso, framed. A fine watercolour of Darling Harbour, by well-regarded turn-of-the-century Sydney artist John Henry Young.

This atmospheric watercolour, imbued with the pink light of early evening, shows a most attractive view of the burgeoning metropolis of Sydney seen across the waters of Darling Harbour. The domes of the newly-completed Queen Victoria Building (finished in 1898), the Town Hall and the spire of St. Andrew's Cathedral are visible on the skyline, as are a number of smoke stacks, which give a clear sense of the industrialisation of inner Sydney at the time. Pyrmont Bridge is to the right of the scene with passengers traversing it in two horse-drawn omnibuses. The watercolour provides an interesting documentary record of shipping traffic in this busy part of the harbour around the turn of the century: a tall-masted sailing ship is moored upstream of the bridge, and two small steamers and a larger twin masted paddle-steamer are moored on the far side of the harbour, downstream of the bridge. In the foreground is a small commercial steam-powered craft, with a sailor standing at the stern. Two large timber pylons are seen at the centre of the picture.

John Henry Young exhibited at the Art Society of New South Wales (of which he was a committee member) from 1895 to 1910, and is known to have been still active in 1935. He is best known for his watercolours of maritime subjects both in and around Sydney Harbour, however he also painted overseas including the Mediterranean, France and Egypt.

This work is signed 'J.H. Young' in the lower left hand corner. What appears to be the date '24.4.10', and the number 4, are written in pencil on the back of the watercolour board. It is reasonable to assume that this was the date of the painting or exhibition, in which it was shown, along with the number in the catalogue.

This work is from the collection of the artist's grandson, at Sherbourne, in the United Kingdom.
Provenance: From the collection of the artist's grandson - Sherbourne, UK. Shows signs of first mounting on back as being done in UK, with directions for 'Redwood Frame as last', dated 21.4.10, marked no. 4.

• AUD 7,500.00 > autres monnaies
• Commande nro.: 711_231

• libraire: Hordern House (AUSTRALIA)