Wood, Thomas, 1904, Artwork, PRG 1344/14
This work depicts a rural scene at Willunga looking 'From Back of Rectory'. It was painted 30 November, 1904 and is part of a selection of watercolour paintings by amateur artist, Thomas Wood, featuring scenes of Hahndorf, Port Augusta, Salt Creek near Port Lincoln, Port Lincoln, Calicalinga (Carrickalinga), Mount Barker, Wallaroo, Willunga and Noarlunga. Wood chose to uniquely sign his work with a symbol consisting of a design based on his initials, rather than a signature as such. This work depicts specific details of the scene including three visible "fallow" labelled in pencil, indicating fertilised areas of ground. The work also features the homestead, nestled into the side of a hill slope. The artist has included a tiny pencil drawing of another structure in the distance, in the centre of the work. Wood has also included three head of cattle in the foreground to indicate scale and to represent the rural nature of the setting. The skyline is met by a bright blue coastline which is in contrast to the dryness of the landscape. Although an amateur, Wood has provided an acurate example of the geography of the Willunga area in the early 1900's.