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 mounted on board

Inscriptions & markings

printed in ink on support l.c.: GIANT FERN TREES: SPLITTERS' TRACK, BLACK SPUR. / 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. 8. / GIANT FERN TREES: SPLITTERS' TRACK, BLACK SPUR. / The scene which this illustration represents is situated on Morley's Creek, at the foot of the Black Spur, and is / about a mile and a half from the Township of Fernshawe. The Fern Trees in this locality are of gigantic growth, / measuring 50 feet in height, the fronds of which are from 12 to 15 feet long. This excessive growth is attributable / to the great number of springs flowing into the creek, thereby causing the surrounding soil to be in a continual / state of moisture.
printed in ink (vertically) on support reverse l.c.l.: 10 Temple Court, Collins Street West.