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Book Cover
Book
Author Olsen, Penny, 1949-

Title A botanical life : Robert David FitzGerald / Penny Olsen
Published Canberra : National Library of Australia, 2013
Canberra : National Library of Australia, 2013

Copies

Location Call no. Vol. Availability
 W'BOOL  581.994 Fitzge Ols/Abl  AVAILABLE
Description 159 pages : illustrated (chiefly coloured), facsimiles. ; 28 cm
Series Portfolio series
Portfolio series
Contents Robert David Fitzgerald / Penny Olsen -- The flower paintings: Introduction to Fitzgerald's botanical art / Barrie Hadlow
Summary Robert David Fitzgerald was a successful colonial surveyor who had arrived in Australia in 1856 as a young Irish immigrant of 25. He was employed by the Lands Department in New South Wales and, although he was an exemplary public servant, he was also one of the last of the Victorian era gentlemen scientists: an avid naturalist, ornithologist and skilled taxidermist. In 1864, while searching for birds to add to his collection, he was inspired by the discovery of a clump of Rock Lilies (Dendrobium speciosum) to collect a number of other orchid specimens in the area. Over the following years, Fitzgerald devoted his leisure time to botanical illustration and documented the orchids of Australia, publishing his discoveries in his internationally acclaimed work, Australian Orchids. In so doing, he corresponded and engaged with some of the great thinkers of his time, including Ferdinand von Mueller, George Bentham and Charles Darwin. A Botanical Life presents a short biography, followed by a portfolio section of more than 100 stunning full colour images of flowers painted by Robert David Fitzgerald
Analysis Australian
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Subject Fitzgerald, R. D. (Robert David), 1830-1892 -- Criticism and interpretation.
Fitzgerald, R. D. (Robert David), 1830-1892.
FitzGerald, Robert D. (Robert David), 1830-1892
FitzGerald, Robert David, 1902- -- Criticism and interpretation.
National Library of Australia.
Botanical artists -- Australia -- Biography.
Botanical illustration -- Australia.
Botanical illustration.
Botany in art.
Botany -- Australia -- Pictorial works.
Surveyors -- Australia -- Biography.
Genre/Form Biographies.
Illustrated works.
Author Fitzgerald, R. D. (Robert David), 1830-1892, artist
National Library of Australia.
LC no. 2015375882
ISBN 9780642277718 (paperback)
Other Titles Robert David FitzGerald