b'157The Morgan collection contains several fine examples ofalso because of his abandonment by his patrons during the the wood carvers craft and artistry, with the works ofanti-German campaign of the First World War. In a working Robert Prenzel being central to this project. As Jameslife of almost five decades in the country, he enjoyed barely Mollison, AO, wrote in his introduction to the NGVten years of real success (op cit).Exhibition catalogue by Terence Lane [1994], It is fittingPrenzel became a champion of things Australian, that Robert Prenzel, who devised a uniquely Australianestablishing a native garden at Black Rock and becoming an style in his furniture and carvings, should be included in theadviser to the Commonwealth Government on Australian programme. [of retrospective exhibitions]. Prenzels worktimbers. His circle of friends included the photographer J. celebrates the beauty of Australian timbers, flora and fauna. W. Lindt and the botanists J. H. Maiden and Percy St. John. Prenzel was a conservationist, and already an experiencedHe is the most important member of a group of professional wood carver at the age of 22, when, attracted to thisand amateur carvers who worked in a distinctly Australian country in 1888 by the stories of Marvellous Melbourneidiom in the first quarter of this century. The largest associated with the Centennial Exhibition, he took upcollection of his work is in the National Gallery of Victoria, residence here. In November 1890 he married Minawhich also holds papers, including drawings, sketches, Schelling; they had three children and he was naturalizedtemplates, trade catalogues and photograph albums of in 1897. His story is particularly fascinating because of hisexecuted work. He is also represented in the National formulation of a style of furniture that captured the moodGallery of Australia and the Art galleries of South Australia and aspirations of his newly-federated adopted home, butand Queensland.150'