Story: European discovery of plants and animals

Whau

Whau

This illustration of whau leaves and flowers (Entelea arborescens) is based on a sketch by Sydney Parkinson, the artist who came with James Cook on his first voyage to New Zealand (1768–71). The final watercolour was done by another artist, Fred Polydore Nodder. In an era before photography, artists such as Parkinson were invaluable record keepers, not only of the landscape but also of the finer details of new species of plants and animals. Sketches were made in the field, and finished paintings were only completed years later, often by other artists.

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Natural History Museum
Reference: Image ref 7619
Watercolour after a drawing by Sydney Parkinson

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How to cite this page:

John Andrews, 'European discovery of plants and animals - The first naturalists', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/10939/whau (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by John Andrews, published 24 Sep 2007