Fact or fantasy
This picturesque panorama of Sydney in 1822, painted by Major James Taylor, is a compelling view of the town at the close of Governor Macquarie's era. After just 30 years of settlement, building here has progressed at an impressive rate. Sydney was a convict town, built and run on the labour of transported men and women. Amazingly this is one of the few pictures from the time that actually shows convicts. People of all types contentedly go about their business: convict, free settler, military and Aboriginal.
The harmonious scene belies some of the realities of life in convict Sydney. Although we can see the grander houses of The Rocks, the artist does not show the rougher dwellings, or the pubs, the cockfights, gambling and carousing typical of Sydney's early popular culture. Mostly we see a sober and industrious society, much improved and full of promise.
The Taylor panorama was probably used by Macquarie's supporters to vindicate and promote his achievements in the colony against his outspoken detractors.
The harmonious scene belies some of the realities of life in convict Sydney. Although we can see the grander houses of The Rocks, the artist does not show the rougher dwellings, or the pubs, the cockfights, gambling and carousing typical of Sydney's early popular culture. Mostly we see a sober and industrious society, much improved and full of promise.
The Taylor panorama was probably used by Macquarie's supporters to vindicate and promote his achievements in the colony against his outspoken detractors.