POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Botanical illustration of 'Eucalyptus amygdalina (Peppermint Tree)' by Agard Hagman

Object No. P1219

This is a watercolour of a botanical drawing depicting one of the native plants of Australia, Eucalyptus amygdalina (Peppermint Tree). It is one of 98 watercolours 'drawn from life' by Agard Hagman and commissioned by the Museum between 1886 and 1889. It was one of many illustrations included in an extensive display of Australian timbers in the Timber Courts at the Museum in the late nineteenth century. At the time of their purchase in 1887, Australia's natural resources were little explored and the staff at the Powerhouse Museum (then known as the Technological Industrial and Sanitary Museum) were involved in the efforts to collect and document Australian flora and fauna and investigate their potential for commercial purposes. When the Museum opened the doors to the newly named Technological Museum at Harris Street in 1893, economic botany was an important focus and the whole first floor was given over to the vegetable kingdom. Subjects included timber, food, drugs, oil and many others. The display of Australian timbers included drawings, jars filled with leaves and seeds, sections through tree trunks, examples of raw and polished timbers and furniture and fittings made from different timbers. However, the Museum did not limit itself to just exhibitions and advice, it actively promoted the commercial potential of Australian plants, particularly Eucalypts and Wattles and undertook scientific research in support of these goals. At its new sight it was also connected in with the Sydney Technological College and featured work by students and teachers. Nina Earl, Assistant Curator, 2021