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C1807
Vue de la partie meridionale de la ville de Sydney, capitale des colonies anglaises aux terres australes et de l’embouchure de la riviere de Parramatta
Important and impressive panorama of Sydney in 1803, from the official account of the French expedition led by Nicholas Baudin, taken from eastern side of Circular Quay and looking westwards to the Rocks. The Tom Thumb George Bass’s whaleboat is … Read Full Description
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Full Title:
Vue de la partie meridionale de la ville de Sydney, capitale des colonies anglaises aux terres australes et de l’embouchure de la riviere de Parramatta
Date:
C1807
Condition:
In good condition, with centre fold as issued.
Technique:
Hand coloured copper engraving.
Image Size:
460mm
x 168mm
Frame Size:
770mm
x 500mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1807
Description:
Important and impressive panorama of Sydney in 1803, from the official account of the French expedition led by Nicholas Baudin, taken from eastern side of Circular Quay and looking westwards to the Rocks. The Tom Thumb George Bass’s whaleboat is the masted vessel moored against the far-shore. This engraving is based on the exquisite pen and ink drawing by Charles Alexandre Lesueur, taken from the French encampment on the eastern side of Sydney Cove, with the panorama of Sydney and all its buildings and fortifications in the background.
Lesueur, assistant gunner on the Geographe under the command of Nicolas Baudin, drew a number of remarkably accurate topographical views of Sydney during their five month stay at Port Jackson in 1802. The French Admiralty, although sending Baudin’s expedition under the ‘flag of truce’ with the sole aim of ‘perfecting the sciences’ had a political and strategic interest in the British settlement in New South Wales.
Hunt & Davidson Sydney Views 1788-1888, 2007 Plate 36 page 64.
Charles Alexander Lesueur (1778 - 1846)
French natural history and topographical artist on board the lavishly equipped scientific expedition prepared by the Institut de France with the ambitions to explore the southern parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, in two corvettes, Geographe and the Naturaliste. Lesueur was taken on not as an artist or scientist but as an assistant gunner. Nichloas Baudin the commander of the expedition soon discovered Lesueur's talents and employed him as an illustrator for his private journal. His prolific output and the quality of his drawings during this important voyage is a testament to his artistic talents.
