R.D. Fitzgerald collection of drawings of Australian orchids, ca. 1875-1878

PX*D 246
PX*D 247

series

ca. 1875-1878

Graphic Materials, Watercolours

446200

1 album (116 watercolour and pencil drawings, 1 plant specimen) - 51 x 38 cm.
1 albums (77 watercolour and pencil drawings, 1 lithograph - 51 x 37.7 x 3.7 cm. - PX*D 247

Robert David Fitzgerald was a natural history artist, draughtsman, and surveyor who came to Sydney in 1856 and worked in the Lands Department. Fitzgerald gained a reputation as a competent botanical illustrator with the production of his 12 part work on Australian Orchids, published from 1875 to 1894. -- Reference: Dictionary of Australian Artists / by Joan Kerr. Melb, Vic : Oxford University Press, 1992.

The drawings feature a plant in detail along with cross-sections and closer studies of aspects of the plants and flowers.

Out of copyright: Artist died before 1955

The drawings in these albums form part of the original works used for R.D. Fitzgerald's publication on Australian Orchids.
Some drawings are incomplete.
A few drawings are executed on large sheets that are folded.

Each drawing has pencil notions with Latin botanical name of the plant, location, and date (without supplying year).
Some notes are initialled, "A.S.R."
Embossed on spine of each album, "Originals / of / Published / Drawings / of / Australian / Orchids"

Impact: a changing land - State Library of New South Wales