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C1784
A Woman of Van Diemen’s Land.
Artist:
qRare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. After staying with the wooding party, Cook returned to the ships, but shortly afterwards a party of several women and children appeared, as … Read Full Description
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S/N: CK03E-1101011-ABOR–185835
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Details
Full Title:
A Woman of Van Diemen’s Land.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
220mm
x 285mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1784
Description:
qRare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. After staying with the wooding party, Cook returned to the ships, but shortly afterwards a party of several women and children appeared, as King reported to Cook afterwards: ‘The Women wore a Kanguroo skin in the same shape as it came from the animal, tied over the shoulder and round the waist, but it was evidently intended for no other purpose than for the conveniency of carrying the child, for in all other respects they [are] as naked the men, and as black, with hair of the same Colour & texture. Some had their heads wholy shaved, some only on one side, while others again shaved all the upper part and leaving a circle of hair round the head as is the custom with some Fryers’. Cook Journal III, I, 55 (29 January 1777)
John Henry Martin, seaman on the Discovery, described the natives. “They have few, or no wants, & seemed perfectly Happy, if one might judge from their behaviour, for they frequently wou’d burst out, into the most immoderate fits of Laughter & when one Laughed every one followed his example Emediately.”
References: Beddie 1743-7, p.339, Joppien 3.13A, ill.p.275
From Cook & King, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere….
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.
