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C1785
A Man of Van-Dieman’s Land in New Holland.
Artist:
Scarce c.18th engraving of an aboriginal from Van Diemen’s Land, based on John Webber’s engraving issued in Cooks account of his Third Voyage and last voyage. John Webber’s first encounter with the people of the Pacific came in January 1777 … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
A Man of Van-Dieman’s Land in New Holland.
Date:
C1785
Artist:
Condition:
Slight overall soiling, otherwise in good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
172mm
x 290mm
Paper Size:
240mm
x 380mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1785
Description:
Scarce c.18th engraving of an aboriginal from Van Diemen’s Land, based on John Webber’s engraving issued in Cooks account of his Third Voyage and last voyage.
John Webber’s first encounter with the people of the Pacific came in January 1777 when Cook arrived at Adventure Bay, Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). He was astonished at their unashamed nakedness.
In his first painted version of this portrait Webber included the man’s full torso, covered with ceremonial scars. Cook described the appearance of the Tasmanian’s as ‘far from disagreeable’. ‘The keloid scars so typical of the Australian aboriginal adult male; they came from cuts incised with a flint of other sharp stone knife, which were often rubbed with ashes of clay to enlarge the effect. They denoted inititation into manhood, but other functions were totemistic and aesthetic.’ Cook, Journals III, I, 52.
From; Hogg, Alexander. A New, authentic, and complete collection of voyages round the world,..of Capt. Cook’s first, second, third and last voyages….
References:
Beddie, M. Bibliography of Captain James Cook, RN,FRS, Circumnavigator. Sydney 1970:: 19.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 :: 18.
Forbes, D. Hawaiian National Bibliography 1780- 1830. Honolulu /Sydney, 1999/2003 :: 61.
Collections:
State Library Victoria: Bib ID 3137599
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS MRB/F79
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 910.41 A11
Te Papa Museum of New Zealand: Registration No RB000015
Beddie, M. Bibliography of Captain James Cook, RN,FRS, Circumnavigator. Sydney 1970:: 19.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 :: 18.
Forbes, D. Hawaiian National Bibliography 1780- 1830. Honolulu /Sydney, 1999/2003 :: 61.
Collections:
State Library Victoria: Bib ID 3137599
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS MRB/F79
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 910.41 A11
Te Papa Museum of New Zealand: Registration No RB000015
John Webber (1752 - 1793)
John Webber was an 18th century artist, best known for his work as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third and final voyage to the Pacific in 1776-1780. He was born in London, England in 1751 and was trained as an artist. Webber accompanied Cook on his voyage as the official artist, tasked with creating drawings and paintings of the places and people they encountered. He produced many illustrations and sketches that were used to make engravings for inclusion in the official account of the voyage, published after Cook's death. Webber was required to "give a more perfect idea thereof than can be formed by written description." Webber's illustrations and engravings of the Pacific islands and their inhabitants are considered some of the most accurate and detailed depictions of the region from that time. They provide an important record of the places and people encountered by Cook and his crew, and are valuable for understanding the culture and daily life of the people of the Pacific during the 18th century. He died in London in 1793, after having returned from the voyage, but his work continues to be recognised as an important historical record of the voyage and of the art of his time. Webber's oeuvre from the voyage was the most comprehensive record of sights in the Pacific region ever produced.
