Jan

Beauty Rich and Rare

Still image of viewer with phone against starry background

“Beauty Rich and Rare” is on view at the National Museum of Natural History through July 5.

As catastrophic wildfires rage across the continent of Australia, leaving only ash and devastating environmental damage behind, Beauty Rich and Rare at the National Museum of Natural History is an opportunity to experience the extraordinary flora and fauna unique to Australia that is now in danger. The exhibition, commissioned by the National Library of Australia and created and produced by AGB Events, opened Jan. 9 and will remain on view through July 5.

“Beauty Rich and Rare” recreates the sense of wonder experienced by British naturalist Joseph Banks and the botanists, scientists and illustrators who travelled on the HMB Endeavour from England to Australia 250 years ago. The expedition was led by Captain James Cook and represents the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia. Examples of specimens from the voyage are in the National Museum of Natural History’s collections and on view in the new exhibition.

“‘Beauty Rich and Rare’ will take visitors on a journey of the senses—an immersion into light, color and sound that magnify the scientific achievements of the expedition and the sheer awe experienced by the explorers when they first encountered the natural wonders of Australia,”said Michael Lawrence, assistant director for exhibitions at the National Museum of Natural History. “The exhibition is a dramatic illustration of the vital role that museum collections play in preserving our biodiversity heritage.”