Plate 29: Two illustrations: The Gorge at Yankallillah 'not far from the beautiful and picturesque residence of Mr Kemmis, surrounded by the rich valleys of Yankallillah ... the hills descend abruptly to the plains and are intersected by deep ravines and gullies ... the position chosen for the accompanying view is looking South West towards the entrance to the Gorge; to the right, the hills descend to the sea shore, forming perpendicular cliffs towards Rapid Bay...'; and Arthur's Station, with one of the volcanic wells: Mount Schank in the distance. Early morning. 'About three hundred and sixty miles to the S.S.E. of Adelaide ... a marine formation exists, evidently raised from beneath the sea by volcanic action: in many places coral limestone appears on the surface, and circular cavities, like vast wells, occur here and there .. containing lakes of pure fresh water ... The tree to the right is a 'banksia' ... the huts are built of coral limestone and thatched with sheets of bark; and water is raised by means of a pulley from the never-failing reservoir below'.

This is one of 60 coloured lithographs found in the 1847 edition of South Australia Illustrated by colonial artist George French Angas, together with a descriptive passage for each. The lithograph was created by J.W. Giles from Angas' original painting. The date assigned is assumed to be approximately when the lithographs were created; the original paintings were completed in earlier years.

George French Angas (1822-1886), naturalist and painter, was born on 25 April 1822 at Newcastle upon Tyne, England, fourth child and eldest son of George Fife Angas and his wife Rosetta, née French. He sailed for Australia in 1843 in the Augustus, reached Adelaide in January 1844, and remained in South Australia until July when he left for New Zealand.

He returned to South Australia in January 1845 and remained for six months. During these visits to South Australia, Angas recorded landscapes and settlements seen in his travels in the colony in watercolour drawings.

Angas, George French, 1822-1886

Giles, J.W.

Colwell, M and Alan Naylor. Adelaide: an illustrated history, [Joslin, S. Aust.]: McP, 1981

Insights into South Australian history, volume 2: 'South Australia's German history and heritage', Harmstorf, Ian A. ed. Adelaide: Historical Society of South Australia, 1992-

Kwan, Elizabeth Living in South Australia: a social history, Netley, S. Aust.: South Australian Government Printer, 1987

Tregenza, John George French Angas, artist, traveller and naturalist, 1822-1886 Adelaide: Art Gallery Board of South Australia, 1982

Treasures of the State Library of South Australia see: South Australia illustrated by George French Angas

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online Edition: Search for George French Angas

Pictures Catalogue National Library of Australia

PictureAustralia