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John William Lewin Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by John William Lewin our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide John William Lewin · 1770 – 1819

Platypus

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Koala And Young, (1803) by John William Lewin

1803

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #2: Koala And Young,

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17534 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Waratah, Telopea Speciosissima, (1808)

1808

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #3: Waratah, Telopea Speciosissima,

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

The Murray Lily, Cirinum Pedunculatum, (1808) by John William Lewin

1808

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #4: The Murray Lily, Cirinum Pedunculatum,

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Duck-billed platypus, ornithorynchus paradoxus, – John William Lewin

1810

Discover John William Lewin’s stunning 1810 watercolor of a platypus! Capturing Australian wildlife in a unique, impressionistic style. Explore this rare piece of art history.

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #5: Duck-billed platypus, ornithorynchus paradoxus,

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Two kangaroos in a landscape, – John William Lewin

1819

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #6: Two kangaroos in a landscape,

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17538 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Govenment House, Sydney

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22541 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Spotted grossbeak

Admire 'Spotted Grossbeak' by John William Lewin – a stunning 18th-century botanical illustration of waxbills. Detailed watercolor & natural history style. A unique piece for art collectors!

Art Movement: Natural History Illustration
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Crested Thrush

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Common Grossbeak

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Banksia Serrata

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Birds Of New South Wales With Their Natural History -, John William Lewin

Discover 'Birds of New South Wales' by John William Lewis! This exquisite 18th/19th-century watercolor illustration showcases Australian Magpies in stunning detail. A timeless piece for art collectors & nature lovers.

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #12: Birds Of New South Wales With Their Natural History -

Art Movement: Naturalistic Illustration
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Black Crown Thrush by John William Lewin

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #13: Black Crown Thrush

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Scarlet ^ black warbler

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Orange Rumpt Flycatcher

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Lyrebird of Australia, c.1810, John William Lewin

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #16: Lyrebird of Australia, c.1810

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Red Breast Warbler

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Platylobium by John William Lewin

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #18: Platylobium

Color Palette: Pastels

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Orange Breast Thrush

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Mountain Bee Eater, John William Lewin

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #20: Mountain Bee Eater

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

View Of Sydney Nsw Engraved Frontpiece

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17542 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Three-toe Kingfisher – John William Lewin

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #22: Three-toe Kingfisher

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Rock Warbler – John William Lewin

Admire 'Rock Warbler' by John William Lewin – a serene 19th-century watercolor capturing nature’s beauty. Explore this naturalistic piece reminiscent of early illustrations.

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #23: Rock Warbler

Art Movement: Naturalism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

John William Lewin: Blue Face Honeysucker

View the most popular artwork of John William Lewin ranked #24: Blue Face Honeysucker

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Crested shrike

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 38 artworks by John William Lewin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

John William Lewin

1770 – 1819

Quick facts

Creative periodsmature period
Typical colorsputty
NationalityUnited Kingdom
Copyright statusPublic domain
Top-ranked workPlatypus
Born1770, England, United Kingdom
Topics exploredcolour, animals, botanical art, bird illustration
Died1819

Biography

A Pioneer of the Australian Wild

Born into a lineage of scientific artistry in the United Kingdom, John William Lewin arrived on the shores of New South Wales in 1800, forever altering the visual record of a burgeoning colony. As the son of the renowned naturalist and illustrator William Lewin, his very foundation was built upon the meticulous observation of the natural world. While he originally intended to travel to Australia to document entomological life for a British patron, his arrival marked the beginning of a profound transformation in his art. He transitioned from the conventional natural history illustrations practiced in England to creating deeply authentic images that captured the unique essence of the Australian landscape.

Lewin’s journey was one of both scientific rigor and artistic evolution. Settling initially near Parramatta, he utilized every opportunity to venture into the untamed wilderness, accompanying expeditions to the Bass Strait, the Hunter River, and even the rugged terrain beyond the Blue Mountains. His work was not merely a collection of specimens but an attempt to grasp the very atmosphere of the bush. He possessed a rare ability to observe the translucent foliage of the eucalyptus and the delicate, feathery grasses of the interior, rendering them with a sense of light and life that avoided the stifling conventions of European art.

The Art of Observation and Legacy

The breadth of Lewin's repertoire extended far beyond the wings of birds and the carapaces of insects. He was a versatile observer who captured the diversity of Australian fauna, from the enigmatic duck-billed platypus to the vibrant species of the sea. His skill in documenting the bounty of the colony is perhaps most strikingly realized in his oil painting, Fish catch and Dawes Point, Sydney Harbour, which stands as the earliest known oil painting on canvas in Australia. In this work, he masterfully arranged various species like the snapper and hammerhead shark, suggesting an abundance that mirrored the hopes of the new settlement.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Lewin held significant roles within the colonial structure, serving as the city coroner and working under the patronage of Governors Philip Gidley King, William Bligh, and Lachlan Macquarie. His published works, such as Prodromus Entomology and Birds of New Holland with their Natural History, remain vital historical documents. Through his delicate watercolors and precise engravings, he provided a window into a world that was, to the European eye, entirely new. Today, his legacy lives on not only in museum collections but in the very names of the species that continue to inhabit the lands he so lovingly documented.

Notable Species Named After Him: Lewin's rail, Lewin's honeyeater, and Lewin's euploea.
Key Artistic Contributions: The first professional artist of the New South Wales colony and creator of the first illustrated book engraved and printed in Australia.

Questions & Answers

What are the birthplace and birth year of John William Lewin?

John William Lewin was born in England in 1770.

Where are John William Lewin's artworks mapped by subject?

John William Lewin's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.

How can I see every artwork made by John William Lewin?

Every work by John William Lewin on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 14, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which year did John William Lewin arrive in New South Wales?
What was the title of Lewin's first book, published in London in 1805?
Which Australian Governor appointed Lewin to the position of city coroner in 1814?
What is the name of the earliest known oil painting on canvas in Australia by Lewin?
Who was John William Lewin's father?

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