Title

Mr Rodius has received by the 'Florentina [his engraving of a view of Port Jackson].

Author

Australian.

Source

Australian (Sydney)

Details

3 February 1834, page 2, column 5.

Publication date

3 February 1834

Type

Publication Review

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Mr Rodius, the artist, has received by the Florentia a quantity of beautifully coloured engravings of a view of Port Jackson, executed under the directions of Messrs. Ackerman and Co. from an original drawing of Mr R. taken expressly for this purpose, and forwarded to England about twelve months since. We are pleased to say that this view surpasses in correctness of external objects and precision of drawing, anything we have yet seen of the kind produced in the colony. The great defect of all the engravings of New South Wales scenery hitherto brought out has been a want of that version initude which in a landscape is the chief merit. In the view we have just seen, the artist appears to us to have sacrificed effect, to the correctness of his outline. He has been at considerable expense to get his work in a superior manner, and we hope that the encouragement he will receive from the public in this, his first attempt, will induce him to proceed in what we understand he contemplates to do, namely to form a series of views of the most interesting and characteristic parts of the colony. We have frequently heard persons newly arrived, find fault with the little progress we have made in the fine arts. The truth of this must be at once acknowledged and lamented, but the cause has been, not want of the talent amongst us, but encouragement to exercise and develop it. We trust however, that we shall begin to release ourselves from this imputation, and, by properly appreciating any efforts that may be made to advance the arts, create emulation in, and instil the taste for them.

[Australian (Sydney), 3 February 1834, p.2, col.5.]
 

Last Updated

09 Apr 2024