Stephen Taylor worked in England from 1807 to 1849 and produced this early depiction of Sydney Harbour in 1813, despite never having visited Australia. The view is from a high point behind Vaucluse and looks up the Harbour towards a distant Sydney, whose windmills pierce the skyline. Bell Mount appears to be an unrecorded name once associated with Vaucluse.

The painting is closely based on a print of the same view, which was published in London a year later, in 1814. It is likely that the source of both these works were drawings by Sydney-based convict and topographical artist, John Eyre. This view of Sydney from Vaucluse was a favourite with many colonial artists.