Story: City images

Arcadian Auckland (1st of 4)

Arcadian Auckland

Auckland’s site has always been its best feature. Its fertile soils, temperate climate and twin harbours attracted relatively dense Māori settlement attributes which also explained its appeal to European settlers. Arcadian imagery dominated pictorial views of colonial Auckland. This 1877 painting by Alfred Sharpe shows Auckland set in a lush pastoral landscape – the city itself is barely visible.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: C-126-001
Watercolour by Alfred Sharpe

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ben Schrader, 'City images - Four main centres', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/25305/arcadian-auckland (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Ben Schrader, published 11 Mar 2010