sketcher and settler, filled two albums (DL) with undated drawings of Australian views, natural history subjects and Aborigines. The drawings in the second volume are mostly more finished than those in the first, suggesting that the outlines were preliminary field sketches. One subject occurs in both rough outline and worked-up state. Two similar ink drawings of a dingo, both signed 'P.H.F. Phelps del.’ and apparently intended for engraving, are of a high professional standard.
The first volume contains 18 ink and three ink and wash drawings of scenes in New South Wales, such as La Perouse’s Monument in Botany Bay; Sydney Cove, Goat Island, and Entrance to Parramatta River; View among the Blue Mountains, New S. Wales and Township of Broulee . Also included is an ink and wash Plan of the Moruya Estate, County of St. Vincent, Township of Broulee, New S. Wales, the Property of P.H. Phelps, Esq. , annotated ’920 acres, not including the lagoon of Shannon Harbour – about 300 more’. The second consists of 16 ink and 48 watercolour sketches of Aboriginal scenes, animals, snakes, birds and marine life (largely Australian), three signed and two dated. Pyrosoma atlantica is inscribed 'Luminous Medusa found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans between 35o and 40o5 Lat … The largest, taken on the 23rd Feb, 1840’, while the watercolour Storm Serpent, or Great Ribbon Fish is annotated, 'Caught off Cullercoats in Northumberland, March 26, 1849’. Together with the record of Phelps’ land grant at Broulee in Baker’s Australian Atlas (Sydney 1843-46), these locate and date the work.
It is probable that Phelps was contemplating publication of a book of Aboriginal cartoons, for several drawings are framed, titled and accompanied by a sensationalist explanatory text. Courtship in Australia. Contracting an Alliance with a Neighbouring Family , according to the author, is intended to illustrate the custom of 'intending bridegrooms’ carrying off their future wives from neighbouring tribes by force: '[they] seize the youngest or those previously resolved upon by their hair, and drag their victims away, stunning them at the same time by terrific blows upon the head with the waddie or short club, often with such violence as to produce lacerations which leave scars for life’. There is a corroboree picture titled State Ball in Australia. Kangaroo Dance and a completely imaginary view of an Aborigine walking through thick bushland carrying a severed head titled A Present to One’s Friends. 'The Bush’ of Australia . Complementing these unconvincing 'comic’ images are more ethnographic stock subjects, such as a view of Aborigines climbing trees.
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
