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Section 3 The Progress of Art

The Botanic Macaroni
London: M. Darly, 14 November 1772

etching; 17.8 x 12.6 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection; NK5003 U6305
National Library of Australia

 

Sir Joseph Banks (1744-1820) became interested in botany at Eton. In 1766 he sailed on HMS Niger collecting specimens in Newfoundland and Labrador, and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. The Royal Society insisted that Banks should join the Endeavour. He and his eight staff, including Dr Daniel Solander and Sydney Parkinson, collected, preserved, described and classified natural history specimens in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Returning to England in July 1771, he became the centre of scientific excitement and, with Solander, was presented to George III in August. Published the following year, the first two caricatures lampoon Banks as a gout-ridden dilettante. The third etching portrays Solander, Swedish botanist and student of Carle Linne, founder of the Linnean system of botanical classification. Solander was secretary to Banks until 1773 when he was made Keeper of the Natural History Department of the British Museum.

 

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