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In 13 beautiful watercolours in the National Library of Australia’s collection, 18th-century artist, Sarah Stone, captures the spirit and cheekiness of some of Australia's iconic birds.
Library Curator, Susannah Helman explains the history and highlights details of some of these paintings currently on display in our Treasures Gallery. Although you may not be able to come see these paintings in person, just yet, most of these watercolours are digitised and available for you to view online.
You can also read Susannah’s blog about Sarah Stone’s birds.
The artworks mentioned in this digital tour are:
- Sarah Stone, Superb Warbler (Blue Wren), c.1790, nla.cat-vn312140
- Sarah Stone, Pennantian Parrot (Crimson Rosella), c.1790, nla.cat-vn1834523
- Sarah Stone, Tabuan Parrot (King Parrot), c.1790, nla.cat-vn312116
- Sarah Stone, Crested Goatsucker (Owlet Nightjar), c.1790, nla.cat-vn1834531
- Sarah Stone, Banksian Cockatoo (Glossy Black Cockatoo), c.1790, nla.cat-vn312106