This artwork is the illustrated watercolour version of a small pencil line sketch in Light's sketchbook PRG 1/4/176. The artwork is known as 'Mr Beares tents, Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island', according to David Elder (Art of William Light . Adelaide: Corporation of the City of Adelaide in association with Wakefield Press, 1987).

In January 1836 Light was appointed Surveyor-General of South Australia. In May, he sailed from England in the brig Rapid, and arrived in South Australia the following August. The South Australian Company (BRG 42) had already sent some ships to Kangaroo Island to engage in whaling, and cwere arrying a limited number of settlers.

The Duke of York arrived at Nepean Bay on 27 July 1836 with the Beare family of six among its passengers: Thomas Hudson Beare, his wife Lucy and four children. Mr Beare was appointed as Deputy Colonial Manager and Building Superintendent for the South Australian Company.

After first visiting Encounter Bay, Light sailed to Nepean Bay, arriving on 20 August. In his journal he recorded that he went ashore 22 August where ...Mr Beare and a few others had pitched their tents... Light made a rough sketch of 'Mr Beare's tents, Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island' in his notebook . By April 1839 Light had completed this artwork from the earlier sketch.

Beare, Thomas Hudson, 1792-1861

Giles, William, 1814-1875

Light, William, 1786-1839

Elder, David Art of William Light Adelaide: Corporation of the City of Adelaide in association with Wakefield Press, 1987

Light, William William Light's brief journal and Australian diaries with an introduction and notes by David Elder. Adelaide: Wakefield Press, 1984

Dutton, Geoffrey Colonel William Light: founder of a city Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, 1991

Adelaide City Council Archives: Civic Collection: Colonel William Light's artefacts

Treasures of the State Library of South Australiasee: Light, William

SA Memory Foundation of South Australia 1800-1851 Diary of Mary Thomas

State Library SA South Australiana database: Light, William

Papers of the South Australian Company BRG 42

Letters from William Giles junior and Thomas Hudson Beare D 7404(L)