University of Tasmania, Australia

Eva Meidl

Hobart then and now (1881/2012): the historic value of Ludwig Salvator’s drawings

The Austrian Archduke Ludwig Salvator (1847-1915) visited the Melbourne World Exhibition of 1880/1881. This provided him with the opportunity to travel to Tasmania where he spent ten days to research for his book Hobart Town or Summer Holiday Resort in the Antipodes. During that time he also drew illustrations of Hobart for his book ‘according to nature’. His images of Hobart challenge the stereotypical view that the colonial era is presented primarily through British eyes.