Image 1189

Confluences of the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers

Page

1 of 1

Date

unknown

Source

John Buchanans Sketchbook

Description

Confluence of the Kawarau and Clutha rivers looking upstream at the site of the future town of Cromwell, at centre, and Cornish Point at left. John Buchanan (1819-1898) A botanist and illustrator, who originally worked as a calico pattern designer in a Glasgow textile mill. Mr Buchanan immigrated to New Zealand in 1852 and spent 47 years exploring the country's landscape. He traveled extensively, completing geological and botanical surveys. John Buchanan was the first man to climb Mt Alta and the Buchanan Peaks on the western side of Lake Wanaka were named after him. His drawings, woodcuts and watercolours gave a 'photographic' image of the landscape in the 1860s. The best known example of his work is a watercolour of Mitre peak and Milford Sound completed in 1863.