The artist Conrad Martens (1801–1878) arrived in Sydney in 1835. Patronised by the colonial elite — including landowners, pastoralists, government officials and wealthy merchants — Martens produced picturesque views of Sydney Harbour, local landscapes, and views of private residences and landholdings.  
 
This watercolour depicts a view of Parramatta that includes the recently completed residence of Pieter Laurentz Campbell, Police Magistrate at Parramatta from 1836 to 1839. Known today as Broughton House (in the mid-right of the painting), it was built from a design attributed to John Verge and prominently situated on a small hill near the Parramatta River.