Story: Auckland region
In 1843 John Johnson painted this view of his house near Official Bay. It is entitled ‘And the wilderness shall become the fruitful field’. It reflects the settler attitude that Auckland’s landscape needed to be tamed. In the garden, native species have been replaced by exotic grasses and trees (and squash, bottom left).
About this item
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: E-216-f-051
Sepia and ink wash by John Johnson
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.