Bauer (1760-1826) is best known as the natural history artist who accompanied Captain Mathew Flinders on the first circumnavigation of Australia from 1801 to 1803. Through his detailed illustrations, Bauer led the way in bringing to Europe an understanding of a significant part of the remarkable biodiversity of the 'New World'.
The current exhibition draws on the collection of almost 2,000 original illustrations in the Museum. The featured drawings were some of the earliest accurate images to reach Europe of the unique flora and fauna of Australia - not only plants from around the continent but also marine life, mammals and birds. This is the first exhibition of a sizeable selection of Bauer's drawings held at the Museum.
"The National History Museum's Bauer collection represents one of the most exciting examples of the extensive scientific and artistic material collected in Australia in the Imperial period," said Ambassador Stuart.
"Items can now be found in Vienna, not only in its world-leading Natural History Museum but also in the National Library, other collections and the Australian plant collection in the Federal Gardens.
"They are a sound basis to build on existing cooperation between Australian and Austrian institutions. The Embassy is working to foster further collaboration with significant institutions and to strengthen existing science and cultural exchanges between our countries."
