Peter Siddell's realist paintings are identified mainly with depictions of the environs of Auckland. While his works appear to be of actual places, his paintings have a subjective component, and might be better described as magic realism rather than truly realistic. The cityscapes and townscapes in Siddell's paintings are rendered empty, with the suggestion of events occurring outside the picture area. In this sense, his work can be compared to the metaphysical works of Giorgio de Chirico. Siddell is the second only New Zealand artist to be knighted: the first was Sir Toss Woollaston.