Buller's Birds - The Art of Keulemans and Buchanan

'A History of the Birds of New Zealand' combined the passion and knowledge of ornithologist Walter Buller with the talents of artist J G Keulemans. The first edition, of 1872–73, attracted subscriptions from luminaries like Charles Darwin, and a second edition was published in 1888.

A cheaper 1882 alternative, the Manual of the Birds of New Zealand, included wood engravings by artist and botanist John Buchanan. The exhibition showcases the illustrations that J G Keulemans and John Buchanan produced for Walter Lawry Buller, 1838-1906, and the books he published on the birds of New Zealand.

The exhibition supports the successful Te Papa Press publication – Buller’s Birds. Exhibition developed and toured by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Image Credit:
Johannes G Keulemans, ‘Ruru, morepork, Spiloglaux Novae Zealandiae, and whekau, laughing owl Sceloglaux albifacies’ 1873. Photograph from A History of the Birds of New Zealand, 1st edition, Te Papa (1992-0035-1093/3)