Historical information

Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918.
Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Significance

An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.

Physical description

Albumen Silver Photograph on Board

Inscriptions & markings

printed in ink on support l.c.: VIEW OF THE "HANGING ROCK," NEAR MOUNT MACEDON. / COPYRIGHT REGISTERED.
printed in ink (vertically) on support reverse u.c.l.: J.W. FORBES, Agent,
printed in ink (vertically) on support reverse c.l.: ANGLO-AUSTRALASIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, MELBOURNE.
printed in ink (vertically) on support reverse c.: VIEWS OF VICTORIA. / (GENERAL SERIES.) / No. 6. / VIEW OF THE "HANGING ROCK," NEAR MOUNT MACEDON. / The Hanging Rock is situated about 5 miles in a north-easterly direction from the Railway Station at Woodend, / and is a very picturesque spot. Its formation is singularly peculiar, consisting of gigantic masses of basaltic rock / thrown up on end in a projecting or hanging position. Our illustration represents but a portion of the Rock, as it / is not possible to obtain a view of the whole of it in one picture. The height of these large boulders of rock vary / from 150 to 200 feet.
printed in ink (vertically) on support reverse l.c.l.: 10 Temple Court, Collins Street West.