John Eyre (painter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Eyre
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Sydney Cove, a watercolor painting produced by Eyre in 1806, typical of his style.
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| Born | 1771 Coventry, Warwickshire, England
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| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Convict, emancipist, landscape artist |
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Notable work
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| Style | Topographical illustrator |
| Criminal charge(s) | Housebreaking (convicted) |
| Criminal penalty | Penal transportation – 7 years (23 March 1799) |
| Criminal status | Conditional pardon (4 June 1804) |
John Eyre (born in 1771) was an early Australian artist. He was a talented painter and engraver. He came to Australia as a convict but later received a pardon.
Contents
John Eyre's Early Life
John Eyre was born in 1771 in Coventry, a city in Warwickshire, England. When he was 13 years old, in 1794, he started learning a trade. He became an apprentice to his father, who worked with wool.
In 1792, John became a "freeman" in Coventry. This meant he had certain rights and could work in his trade.
Journey to Australia
In 1799, John Eyre was sent to Australia as a convict. He was transported for seven years. He traveled on a ship called the Canada. He arrived in Sydney in December 1801.
Life as an Artist in Australia
On June 4, 1804, John Eyre received a special permission called a "conditional pardon." This meant he had more freedom. Around this time, he started creating his first drawings.
Artistic Style and Subjects
John Eyre mostly drew pictures of towns and cities. His artworks are important because they are not just beautiful. They also show us what Australia looked like a long time ago. They are like historical photos!
Over time, his art changed. At first, he drew very exact pictures of places. These are called "topographical" drawings. Later, he started adding more artistic touches. He would include Aboriginal people or ships sailing on the water. This made his pictures more lively and interesting.
This change in his art was common for artists in early colonial Australia. They often started with simple records of places. Then they added more creative elements to their landscape paintings.
Leaving the Colony
John Eyre left Australia in 1812. By then, he was a free man. We do not know much about what happened to him after he left Australia.
See also
- List of convicts transported to Australia
- John Eyre (British artist) 1847-1927
