Mrs. Ellis Rowan and Her Contributions to Australian Art and Science

Henry A. Tardent

Brisbane

:

Watson, Ferguson & Co.

,

1927

.
First Edition. Inscribed by Author

21.5cm x 14cm. 58 pages, colour illustrations. Lettered side-stapled wrappers, pictorial onlay.

Ellis Rowan (1848-1922) was an Australian artist, naturalist and explorer. She travelled widely, in Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea, usually in primitive conditions, to paint plants, birds, butterflies and other insects and their habitats, often being the first artist to depict them. She exhibited successfully world wide, despite the envy of other artists who described her as a mere flower painter, and sold 100 paintings to the South Australian Government and 125 to the Queensland Government. After her death the Commonwealth purchased a further 947 paintings, now held at the National Library of Australia. This work by Swiss writer Henry Alexis Tardent (1853-1929) includes 12 colour plates of Rowan’s work, with descriptions by C.T. White, Queensland Government Botanist. Tardent moved to Queensland in 1887 and was a founding member of Les Causeries Francaises (Alliance Francaise). This copy inscribed on the title page: To my greatly esteemed friend Mr. R. Cooper with the author’s compliments, best wishes and gratitude. [?] Wynnum 29-4-27. Henry A. Tardent.

Wrappers chipped and foxed. Insect damage to onlay edges. Tears to crown and tail of spine, but still holding well. Minor foxing to printed pages, but plates are clean. Good Condition.