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ISSN 1443-0568 | no. 40 | August 1999


New exhibitions and publications

Terre Napoléon—the exhibition

Champagne with bread and cheese and evocative French songs played on the piano accordion, greeted the 200 guests at the launch of the latest exhibition in the National Library Gallery, Terre Napoléon: Australia through French Eyes 1800–1804. Brief speeches by Warren Horton, the Director-General of the Library, and Peter Watts, director of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, acknowledged the role of the Trust in bringing this fascinating exhibition to Australia.

Brendan Smyth

Above: ACT Urban Services Minister, Brendan Smyth, at the opening of the Terre Napoléon exhibition.
Mr Smyth was the manager of the National Library Shop before entering politics in 1995

Terre Napoléon tells the story of an extraordinary French voyage of discovery, but whereas the explorations of Cook and Flinders are well known, the voyage of Nicholas Baudin is not. With instructions from Napoleon to study the inhabitants, animals and natural products of New Holland, Baudin set out not only on a voyage of discovery but on a race with Britain to chart the last remaining unknown coastline of Australia. Unfortunately his efforts were hampered by an unduly long stay on Ile-de-France (Mauritius) on the outward journey.

Terre Napoléon features unique and beautiful scientific illustrations, the work of Charles-Alexandre Lesueur and Nicholas-Martin Petit. Held by the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle at le Havre, they are part of the record of one of the most ambitious voyages of discovery ever undertaken, returning to France over 100 000 specimens, 2500 of which were new species—more than were found in all previous expeditions combined.

The exhibition is on display until 17 October. Information about associated events can be found at http://www.nla.gov.au/exhibitions/terre/


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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: lkirwan@nla.gov.au

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