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C1802
Emu.
Artist:
Vincent Woodthorpe (1764? - 1822)
This iconic image was probably based on Hunter’s earlier watercolour painted in 1793 and first issued as an engraving in David Collins account of the colony in 1798. Both the Collin’s engraving and Woodthorpe’s, depict the bird with long thin … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
Emu.
Date:
C1802
Artist:
Vincent Woodthorpe (1764? - 1822)
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving with original hand colouring
Image Size:
110mm
x 150mm
Frame Size:
370mm
x 460mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1802
Description:
This iconic image was probably based on Hunter’s earlier watercolour painted in 1793 and first issued as an engraving in David Collins account of the colony in 1798. Both the Collin’s engraving and Woodthorpe’s, depict the bird with long thin legs and a long neck. This engraving is a mirror image of Hunter’s and Woodthorpe has depicted the bird with its neck turned down preening itself, possibly to accommodate the smaller sheet size.
The first sighting of an Emu had occurred on 21st January 1788 by surgeon Arthur Bowes, in Port Jackson and described and drawn in his diary on the transport ship Lady Penrhyn. His diary entry describes his observations;
“The animals we saw during our stay in New Holland……-a bird of a new genus, as large and high as a Ostrich”.
Modern binomial name Dromaius novaehollandiae
First described Latham 1790
Distribution Australia wide (not including Tasmania)
Reference Reader’s Digest Book of Birds 2nd ed 1986; Page; p.45, ill. pp. 44 & 45
From Barrington’s, “The History of New South Wales, Including Botany Bay….“.
Biography:
Vincent Woodthorpe (1764?-1822)
Print and map engraver and copperplate printer, born in Stepney in about 1764, the son of Vincent Woodthorpe, a victualler, and his wife Elizabeth Waterhouse, who had married in 1763. Apprenticed (Tinplate Workers)to Garnet Terry 8 Jan 1778. He had premises at 27 Fetter Lane, London 1796-1809 and 29 Fetter Lane, London 1800-1822. Woodthorpe engraved a number of the illustrations for Barringtons account of the colony of New South Wales, the subjects were based on earlier issued engravings in first fleet journals.
