Exotic cargoes brought home to Europe by eighteenth century explorers thrilled the scientific world and enthralled the general public. Strange plants and animals beyond the wildest imagination were evidence of wondrous lands - not myth but a new reality.
Scientists, trying to bring some rational order to Nature’s extravagant diversity, developed a system of naming, describing and recording the natural world. The correct identification of plants was greatly assisted by accurate detailed drawings, so artists came to play a significant role in the science of descriptive taxonomy. The best botanical artists were highly skilled, able to create visually pleasing images which met high standards of scientific objectivity and accuracy.
Curiosity about all things botanical was widespread, spawning an epidemic of illustrated magazines featuring exotic flora. Horticulturists in Britain set up specialist nurseries to meet the demand for botanical novelties which people wanted to grow in their own gardens.
How did our early settlers regard Tasmania’s unique flora? Many people preferred the comfort of familiar plants in their gardens, but some colonists were intrigued by the strange new plants that grew beyond their garden gates. Although native plants were “difficult” to cultivate, several attractive varieties found their way into private gardens alongside the well-known exotics. Botanizing became a popular hobby among educated colonists, with many sending collected specimens back to eager botanists in Europe.
Painting native flowers was also a popular hobby considered particularly suitable for young ladies - many of whom were accomplished artists. Their flower paintings are often romantic in concept, capturing the beauty of the flowers and conveying the emotions aroused by that delicate beauty. Their work helped to develop an appreciation of the native flora and encouraged an emotional bond with the land - the love of plants spilling over to embrace the wider environment.
