Queen Street, Auckland

Jacques Carabain’s view of Auckland is based directly on a photographic townscape by George Valentine, taken around 1885. While it is presumed that Carabain visited Auckland, it is possible that he never even came to New Zealand, relying instead on the photograph for this view. Queen Street, Auckland replicates Valentine’s photograph with pain­staking precision.

Carabain depicts a colonial town whose prosperity defies its youth – Auckland was founded in 1840. The tramlines, and the telegraph poles – which today would be perceived as an eyesore – proudly demonstrate the town’s modernity. The distinctive red brick building is Victoria Arcade and facing it is the clock tower of the New Zealand Insurance Company. Both these buildings, along with many others, were casualties of urban development, making this streetscape almost unrecognisable as Auckland today.

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