item details
NameParadise Ducks
ProductionBurton Brothers; photography studio; circa 1880-1898; Dunedin
Classificationphotographic prints, albumen prints, vintage prints, black-and-white prints
Materialssilver, albumen, printing-out paper, mounting board
Materials Summaryalbumen silver print, black and white photograph
Techniquesalbumen process, printing-out, black-and-white photography
DimensionsImage: 199mm (width), 149mm (height)
Registration NumberO.042198
Credit linePurchased 2014
Overview
Moa bones, exotic bird life, and towering kauri trees were among the popular subjects for photographers in New Zealand in the 1800s. Images like these, celebrating native flora and fauna, were used in exhibitions and newspapers to showcase the new colony’s unique landscape. Scientists and collectors also viewed them with interest.
The image of the kauri tree, in the centre, shows the influence of Carleton Watkins – an American who pioneered large-scale photographs of nature. His work is featured in the Artist in Focus exhibition on this site.