Painting The Rocks: the loss of Old Sydney

Against the backdrop of slum clearances, wharf rebuilding and debates about working-class living conditions, a group of artists set out to capture 'Old Sydney' before it disappeared in the city's transition to a modern metropolis.

The first decades of the 20th century saw countless buildings from our colonial past torn down and whole streets disappear as Sydneysiders embraced the march of progress. Remarkably, in the midst of this change a conservation movement began to arise. Giving voice to the people who worked and lived in The Rocks, this exhibition places the often romantic and sentimental 1902 artists' paintings alongside the stark realities of government-commissioned photography, inspection reports and remodelling plans.

A joint initiative of the Historic Houses Trust and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

Sponsored by Percy Marks

Related story

Painting of street scene showing row of cottages on sandstone base above the street with timber steps to their front doors. Women sit on the front steps and goats meander the street.

Painting the Rocks: the loss of Old Sydney

In 1902 an exhibition of pictures of Old Sydney featured scenes of The Rocks and Millers Point painted before parts of them were demolished in the name of public health and morality, and changed forever

Past exhibition

  • 7 August 2010 - 28 November 2010