Mcfarlane And Erskine Collection

Australian explorers, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Australian explorers, 1879. Sir George Grey, Ernest Giles, Stuart, Alexander Forrest, Dr Ludwig Leichardt, Charles Sturt, Robert O Hara Burke and William John Wills

Constantinople, c19th century. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Constantinople, c19th century. [Thomas c. Jack, Edinburgh]

Taking a Maori redoubt, Maori Wars, 1845-1873 (1879). Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Taking a Maori redoubt, Maori Wars, 1845-1873 (1879). The Maori Wars were a series of conflicts fought over land between the indigenous Maori population of New Zealand

Maoris and carpet snake, New Zealand, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Maoris and carpet snake, New Zealand, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Tasmanian forest scene, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Tasmanian forest scene, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Free selectors hut, Australia, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Free selectors hut, Australia, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Digger on the tramp, Australia, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Digger on the tramp, Australia, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Sheep shearing, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Sheep shearing, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Quartz crushing mill, Australia, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Quartz crushing mill, Australia, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Gold escort attacked by bushrangers, Australia, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Gold escort attacked by bushrangers, Australia, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

South Head, Port Jackson, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
South Head, Port Jackson, 1879. Port Jackson is the natural harbour of Sydney. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Aborigines of Australia, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Aborigines of Australia, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

Captain James Cook, 18th century British naval officer and explorer, 1879. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Captain James Cook, 18th century British naval officer and explorer, 1879. A print from The History of Australasia, by David Blair, McGrady, Thomson, and Niven, 1879

William Dampier, English buccaneer, sea captain, author and scientific observer, (1879). Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
William Dampier, English buccaneer, sea captain, author and scientific observer, (1879). Dampier (1652-1715) mapped the coasts of New Guinea and Western Australia (then known as New Holland)

Fortresses of the Dardanelles, Turkey, 19th century. Artist: McFarlane and Erskine
Fortresses of the Dardanelles, Turkey, 19th century. The Dardanelles is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara

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Journeying through time and continents, the artistic duo McFarlane and Erskine captured the spirit of exploration in their vivid works. In 1879, these Australian explorers turned artists took us on a visual expedition to Constantinople, immersing us in the vibrant atmosphere of the 19th century city. Their brushstrokes then transported us to New Zealand's Maori Wars, where we witnessed the intense battle as they depicted the taking of a Maori redoubt. But it wasn't just war that fascinated McFarlane and Erskine; they also delved into nature's wonders. In one masterpiece from 1879, they showcased an encounter between Maoris and a carpet snake in New Zealand, capturing both awe and curiosity. The pair then ventured into Tasmania's lush forests, painting an enchanting scene that invited viewers to lose themselves amidst towering trees. Returning home to Australia in their artistry, McFarlane and Erskine documented life Down Under with great detail. They portrayed Brisbane bustling with activity in Queensland during 1879—its streets alive with people going about their daily lives. A free selectors hut stood as a testament to pioneering spirits seeking new beginnings on Australian soil. The duo didn't shy away from depicting hardships either; they revealed the struggles faced by diggers tramping across vast landscapes searching for gold or shearers laboriously tending to sheep under scorching suns. And when danger lurked around every corner during Australia's Gold Rush era, McFarlane and Erskine immortalized bushrangers attacking a gold escort—a thrilling moment frozen forever on canvas. Finally, South Head at Port Jackson became their muse as they captured its majestic beauty against crashing waves—an homage to Australia's stunning coastal landscapes. Through each stroke of their brushes, McFarlane and Erskine painted stories that transcended time—showcasing not only historical events but also the resilience, beauty, and diversity of the human experience.