John William Lewin Britain, Australia, 1770-1819
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About John William Lewin
Born in London in 1770, Lewin was the son of professional scientific artist, William Lewin. John Lewin received his early training by assisting his father in the preparation of the eight volume publication, The Birds of Great Britain. (1789–94). Lewin arrived in Australia in 1800, having been commissioned to record ornithological and entomological life of Australia for a British patron. He was appointed the first official artist in the colony, but the appointment was not ratified by London, so in 1810 Lewin was appointed city coroner. In 1812 he formed Sydney's first art school. As well as being a zoological and ornithological artist, he also worked as a portrait miniaturist and landscape painter. Lewin's works are represented in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
The total number of works by John Lewin offered for sale by auction since 1975 is 38, of which 20 (53%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $558,750 for Birds of New South Wales with Their Natural History. Sydney G[eorge] Howe 1813 sold by Sotheby's in November 2000. This year one work has been offered for sale. Works by John Lewin are held by the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and a further four major public national galleries (see list below).
John William Lewin is listed in the following standard biographical references:
- McCulloch, Alan McCulloch, Susan McCulloch, Emily McCulloch-Childs. The New McCulloch's Encyclopedia of Australian Art. 4th Edition, Aus Art Melbourne & The Miegunyah Press, 2006. Page 613
- Kerr, Joan. Dictionary of Australian Artists, Painters, Sketchers, Photographers and Engravers to 1870. Oxford University Press, Australia, 1993. Page 465
- Campbell, Jean. Australian Watercolour Painters: 1780 to the Present Day. Craftsman House, Sydney, 1989. Page 334
- Dictionary of Australian Artists Online, an online resource for biographical data about Australian artists, designers, craftspeople and curators.
Artists' Resale Royalty
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
No, ineligible. The artist has been deceased for more than 70 years.
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