Robert Hunt (1830-1892): Sea and Harbour Views

Like other early settlers in Sydney Robert Hunt was struck by the picturesque nature of the many coves and inlets of Sydney's harbours and coast line. As the roads were limited in number Hunt used a boat to reach the bays dotted around the Harbour. This appears to have inspired a number of picnic trips with his friends and family. At first these were taken on his small boat the Terror but later it appears they were taken on the Mary (named after his wife?) and the Ariel. Hunt's keen interest in sailing, coupled with his passion for photography meant he was one of the earliest to record the remoter parts of Sydney's harbours as well as its popular spots. Many of these images reveal Hunt's artistic interests but not perhaps as consistantly as his bush views. As early as 1859 Hunt took journeys around the harbour for the express purpose of taking photographs and these resulted in some of Hunt's best work. Other sea views were the result of informal outings and family picnics these are more documentary in nature and, while fine photographs, most do not reach the heights of Hunt's best work.

Captain Cook's Landing Place, Botany Bay, Sydney

Captain Cook's Landing Place, Botany Bay, Sydney c1860, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060261

Middle Harbour?, Sydney

Middle Harbour?, Sydney December 1859, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060264

Middle Harbour

Middle Harbour, Sydney December 1859, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060265	Salt Pan Point, Middle Harbour, Sydney 9th August 1884, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060076
Salt Pan Point, Middle Harbour, Sydney 29 September 1885, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060106	Sullivan's, Middle Harbour, Sydney 3rd January, 1885, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060079
Campers near Clontarf, Middle Harbour, Sydney 20th January 1886, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060120	Sullivan's, Middle Harbour, Sydney 24th April 1886, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060147
Sullivan's, Middle Harbour, Sydney 24th April 1886, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060146	At Quakers Hat, Middle Harbour, Sydney 28th December 1885, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060119

Balmoral, Sydney

Balmoral, Sydney 9th May, 1885, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060100

Lane Cove

Head of Lane Cove, Sydney c1860, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060292	Gore's Creek Lane Cove, Sydney 9th January 1886, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060127
Lane Cove from Gore's Point, Sydney 9th January 1886, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060124

Manly, Sydney

Curl Curl, Manly, Sydney March, 1885, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060094

Manly Beach, Sydney March, 1885, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 811060097

Pittwater, Northern Beaches, Sydney

Pittwater and Ocean from Barrenjoey, Sydney 9th July 1884, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 81106073	Pittwater from Lustone House Reserve Barrenjoey, Sydney 9th July 1884, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 81106073
Bungan Head on the road to Barrenjoey Sydney 10th July 1884, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 81106075

Farm Cove & Government House

Farm Cove and Government House, Sydney c1886, Robert Hunt Albumen print, Macleay Museum, 81106030

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