File 2: Portraits of Tarban Creek residents and a Tahitian, 1835-[1838?] / drawings by James Stuart

SAFE/PXD 1465/Box 2/nos. 12-14

file

1835-[1838?]

Graphic Materials, Drawings, Watercolours

1009500

2 watercolours
1 drawing

Dr James Stuart (ca. 1802-1842) was born in Ireland and emigrated to New South Wales in 1834. He was posted to Norfolk Island as a medical superintendent and was later appointed Quarantine Officer at North Head and Colonial Assistant Surgeon. He was passionate about natural history and a prolific artist. He made many fine watercolour drawings of fauna and flora, and published illustrated books of natural history.

Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum was Sydney's first purpose-built asylum. Designed by the Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis between 1836 and 1838, it was constructed on the banks of the Parramatta River in the area now known as Gladesville. In 1915, the complex became known as the Gladesville Mental Hospital.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

It is possible that the watercolours may have been presented to the Royal Anthropological Institute by a former Fellow, Francis Campbell, who was the superintendent of Tarban Creek Asylum between 1848 and 1867.

This file comprises two portraits of residents from the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum and one portrait of a Tahitian sailor.

Out of copyright: Creator died before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

These are the only known figurative works by Stuart.