New Holland Robin; WITHERS, Mrs Augusta.

Circa 1840. Watercolour on card, measuring 150 x 180mm, signed in ink lower right, framed. Augusta Innes Withers (1792 – 1869) was one of the most accomplished natural history artists of her time. Her illustrations, which garnered much critical acclaim from contemporary critics, appeared in numerous publications, including Benjamin Maund’s Botanic Gardens (1826), The Botanist (1836 – 42), James Bateman's Orchidaceae of Mexico and Guatemala (1837-41), the Illustrated Bouquet (1857-63) and the Transactions of the Royal Horticultural Society. She was appointed Flower Painter in Ordinary to Queen Adelaide in 1833 and was also a member of the Society of Lady Artists. This is a rare work of an Australian subject, a Red-Capped Robin, noteworthy for its fine detail and accuracy.