Bethany

Plate 60. Part of the text accompanying the illustration reads: 'One of the most interesting and beautifully situated of the German settlements in South Australia is the village of Bethany, at the foot of the Barossa Hills ... the open country, and rich, undulating districts in the vicinity, with the mountain ranges beyond, render the situation a desirable one ... The time chosen for this scene is a calm evening towards the end of summer (February) when all is glowing in the violet warmth of the departing day; the effect represented is one peculiar to the clear, dry climate of Australia, at this season of the year.'

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. Angas's paintings form a valuable record of the South Australian landscape and settlements in the early days of the colony. This 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. George French Angas sailed for Australia in 1843 on the Augustus, arriving in Adelaide in January 1844.

Angas 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 travelled with William Giles to the area in the vicinity of the mouth of the River Murray, and with Governor (Sir) George Grey to the south-east of the province, Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln. Angas recorded these journeys in watercolour drawings which were shown in Adelaide in June 1845 in the Legislative Council chamber.