Joseph Lycett (1774-1828), artist, historical Australian views

Born in England in 1774, Joseph Lycett was an accomplished portrait painter and miniature painter. Convicted of forgery and transported to Sydney, arriving in 1814. He was again convicted in 1815, this time of forging bills drawn on the Post Office and sent to Newcastle. In the ensuing years Joseph Lycett painted scenes of Australia's countryside. After three of his paintings were presented to Lord Bathurst as a gift he was granted a pardon in 1818 and then returned to England in 1822 where he published a three-part book. This was later bound as 'Views of Australia'. Much of his work is owned by the Mitchell Library Sydney.<p>