"... From the time in 1642 when Isaac Gilsemans expanded Abel Tasman's journal with his somewhat primitive impressions of the coast of the land we now know as New Zealand, to the romanticised visions of the rapidly developing new nation depicted by later Victorian visitors, a host of artists recorded what they saw. These men and women came from many walks of life ... Together they left a fine and detailed picture of life in New Zelaand from the time the first Europeans arrived. Compiled by Gordon H. Brown ... "Visions of New Zealand" traces the growth of the young country in a comprehensive portfolio of carefully selected paintings, drawings and prints, some never or rarely reproduced before. These are accompanied by appropriate extracts from contemporary writings, both published and unpublished. Most of our early artists are represented here ..." -- Inside front cover.