Hyde Park, Sydney from Chancery Square. Antique print.

by Ashton, Julian Rossi

Antique print. Hyde Park, Sydney. Horse-drawn carriages.

This is a wonderful antique print of Hyde Park - which was originally "reserved as a racecourse for the amusement of the citizens of the early days... When the noble sport was moved farther afield the ground was retained as a pleasure reserve."

Wonderful original wood engraving by Henry Miller after a sketch by the prominent Sydney artist and art teacher Julian Rossi Ashton, (1851-1942),for Picturesque Atlas of Australasia published in Sydney between 1886 and 1889  to commemorate 100 years of settlement in Australia and to provide a graphic summary of Australia’s discovery and the development during that period. J.R. Ashton migrated from London for Australia in 1878. He widely promoted art in Australia - particularly recognising the 'unique qualities of light of this great south land', and was greatly responsible for general art appreciation in Australia. The Julian Ashton Art School opened in 1890 in Beaumont chambers in King Street. Having moved to The Rocks in 1933, the school still exists today - now known as The Sydney Art School.

This engraving is from the 2nd edition of this important work - in this case it is a full page engraving with text on the reverse. The page size of the second eidition was slightly smaller than the first edition of 1886-1888.
Page size is 245 x 340mm (9 5/8 x 13 3/8 inches). The engraving size is the same as the original as it was printed from the same wood engraved plate, 7 x 11 inches (approximately 180 x 280mm).

Mounted between antique-white ragmat conservation board and covered with cellophane for protection until framed, the external measurement for frame is approximately 32 x 41cm.