The Supply Party: Ludwig Becker on the Burke and Wills Expedition

Dr Ludwig Becker was appointed as official artist, naturalist and observer to the Burke and Wills expedition. Becker painted the scenery, fauna and flora that he encountered while taking part in the expedition. This is the story of the supply party, its difficulties, problems and experiences as it made its way to Cooper Creek to have supplies ready for Burke and Wills. The conditions were so horrific that some of the supply party members died from varying illnesses. Aborigines both helped and attacked the party as they camped at water holes and places favoured by the itinerant Aborigines. The author explores not only Becker's notebooks and artworks but also his background and life and the reasons he ended up on the expedition in Australia having come out from Germany. The author also retraces the route taken by the supply party and he parallels his experiences and the contemporary Australian scene with the record left by Becker in his note books and art. The book will contain 25 colour plates of Becker's work. A work of both historical and contemporary experiences.