John Lewin Primary Education Kit - State Library of New South Wales

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Introduction John William Lewin (1770 - 1819) was Australia’s first free professional artist, emigrating from England to Australia in 1800. Lewin was also Australia’s first printmaker and the first person to publish an illustrated book in the colony, Birds of New South Wales (1813). In his new home of Sydney, Lewin focused on collecting specimens and producing naturalist art for publication. His artworks include etchings, watercolours and oil paintings which describe the flora, fauna and landforms of Australia. He learnt his painting skills from his father, William Lewin (1747 - 1796), an English pattern maker and natural history painter. John, along with his other siblings, assisted his father in producing the illustrated publication Birds of Great Britain (1789). John Lewin’s significance as an artist is primarily due to his innovative style of naturalist painting. He began adding environmental context to his subjects; a dynamic change from traditional naturalist art. His enthusiasm for exploration and discovery in this field contributed to his success in documenting the unique Australian world with skill and fresh insight. Lewin had opportunities to work in various environments and met many challenges in his naturalist career including travelling to Tahiti in 1801 where he helped defend missionaries threatened in a time of civil war. As a free settler with a desire to prosper in the Australian colony, Lewin was concerned with developing and maintaining a gentleman’s status throughout his life here. Being appointed Coroner for the Town of Sydney in 1810 gave him the benefit of sustainable income, housing and social standing to mix with fellow gentlemen and, in turn, patrons. Lewin also relied on government commissions for his work and some of his artworks even graced the walls of Government House. A significant event in Lewin’s career was his involvement with Governor Macquarie’s expedition to the desperately needed land beyond the Blue Mountains in 1815. Lewin considered Australia to be ‘the finest country in the world’. He typified the early Australian spirit of working hard to make a living in this land of opportunity. John Lewin passed away in 1819 but has left us a legacy of beautiful and significant images of Australia’s early history. 2
Curriculum Links Referenced outcomes for Creative Arts: Visual Arts Stage 2 Stage 3 Making VAS2.1 VAS3.1 Represents the qualities of Investigates subject matter in an experiences and things that are attempt to represent likenesses of interesting or beautiful by things in the world. choosing amongst aspects of subject matter. VAS2.2 Uses the forms to suggest the qualities of subject matter. VAS3.2 Makes artworks for different audiences assembling materials in a variety of ways. Appreciating VAS2.3 VAS3.3 Acknowledges that artists make Acknowledges that audiences artworks for different reasons and respond in different ways to that various interpretations are artworks and that there are possible. different opinions about the value of artworks. VAS2.4 VAS3.4 Identifies connections between Communicates about the ways in subject matter in artworks and which subject matter is what they refer to, and represented in artworks. appreciates the use of particular techniques. Referenced outcomes for Human Society and its Environment Change and Continuity Identities Cultural diversity Environments Patterns of place and location Stage 2 Significant CCS2.1 CCS3.1 events and Describes events and actions related Explains the significance of particular people to the British colonisation of people, groups, places, actions and Australia and assesses changes and events in the past in developing consequences. Australian identities and heritage. Cultures CUS2.3 Explains how shared customs, practices, symbols, languages and traditions in communities contribute to Australian and community identities. CUS2.4 Describes different viewpoints, ways of living, languages and belief systems in a variety of communities. ENS2.5 Describes places in the local area and other parts of Australia and explains their significance. Stage 3 CUS3.3 Describes different cultural influences and their contribution to Australian identities. CUS3.4 Examines how cultures change through interactions with other cultures and the environment. ENS3.5 Demonstrates an understanding of the interconnectedness between Australia and global environments and how individuals and groups can act in an ecologically responsible manner. Relationships ENS2.6 ENS3.6 with places Describes people’s interactions with Explains how various beliefs and environments and identifies practices influence the ways in which responsible ways of interacting with people interact with, change and value environments. their environment. Lewin: Wild Art Exhibition Primary Education Kit © Community Learning Services, State Library of New South Wales
Page 1: Primary education kit A free exhibi
Page 5 and 6: Crossing the Blue Mountains Despite
Page 7 and 8: John Lewin Cox’s Pass 1815 Waterc
Page 9 and 10: John Lewin The plains, Bathurst 181
Page 11 and 12: John Lewin Yango Mungo Y’eyango 1
Page 13 and 14: A new species When John Lewin came
Page 15 and 16: A bird, a bug and something bigger
Page 17 and 18: Add details and texture Details hel

John Lewin Primary Education Kit - State Library of New South Wales

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