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Banks' Florilegium
An Eighteenth-Century Botanical Art Treasure Rediscovered
February 26–April 10, 2005
Captain Cook's fabled Endeavour voyage was one of the great botanical explorations of all time. Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander collected over 30,000 plant specimens during the voyage and conceived a monumental publication of species new to science. Although three tons of copperplates were engraved from Sydney Parkinson's botanical watercolors and sketches, the project was abandoned.
It was not until 1980 that the treasure was uncovered and the first complete publication of this great work was undertaken. The exhibit includes selected color engravings from Banks' Florilegium representing plants from all seven countries the Endeavour visited.
Metrosideros polymorpha var. polymorpha. Copperplate engraving by Gabriel Smith after a watercolor by Sydney Parkinson
Also on exhibit are volumes from Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Rare Book Room identical to those Banks had in his library aboard the Endeavour.
Opening Celebration
Sunday, February 27, 2005, 1:00–4:15 p.m.
1:00–2:30 pm: Australian Didjeridoo Workshop With Paul Taylor
Australian storyteller and musician Paul Taylor teaches visitors the playing and breathing techniques of one of the oldest musical instruments in the world.
1:00 p.m. Tour: The Plants of Banks' Florilegium
2:00 p.m. Tour: Banks' Florilegium: An Eighteenth-Century Botanical Art Treasure Rediscovered
Learn about botanical discoveries made on Captain Cook's first voyage around the world and the botanical art treasure that took 200 years to complete, with the show's curator, Patricia Jonas.
3:00 p.m. Tour: The Plants of Banks' Florilegium
3:00–4:15 p.m.: Performance With Paul Taylor
Award-winning Australian storyteller and musician Paul Taylor dazzles audiences of all ages with his unique and delightful performances celebrating the culture of his homeland through slides, story, song, and didgeridoo.