Bilder Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra (1743–1794) – Map of the Port of Bucarelli (North America) – Engraving (1798)

Beskrivning

This engraving presents a detailed maritime plan of a complex harbor system on the northwest coast of North America, titled Plan of the Entrance of the Port of Bucarelli. The composition illustrates the intricate shoreline of the port, located in present-day Alaska, featuring numerous small islands, inlets, and soundings that indicate water depth for navigation. Key geographical features such as the Golfo de Esquibel, Seno de St. Alberto, and the island of St. Fernando are clearly labeled in Spanish. A technical text block in the lower right corner explains that the port was discovered in 1775 by the Spanish schooner Sonora and subsequently explored in 1779 during an expedition led by don Ignacio Arteaga and don Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra. This work served as a technical chart for late eighteenth-century navigators and was included in the English edition of the accounts of George Vancouver’s voyages to provide a record of Spanish hydrographic achievements in the Pacific Northwest.

Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra was a distinguished Spanish naval officer and explorer of Criollo descent who played a pivotal role in the European exploration of the North Pacific coast. Best known for his two major expeditions in the 1770s, he successfully reached as far north as Alaska, asserting Spanish territorial claims and producing some of the first accurate charts of the region's complex coastline. Beyond his maritime achievements, he served as the Spanish representative during the Nootka Sound negotiations with George Vancouver, where he earned a reputation for exceptional diplomacy and professional integrity. His technical contributions to cartography and his cooperative spirit with international explorers were instrumental in the late eighteenth-century mapping of the American west coast.

Artist or Maker: Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra .

Dimensions: Approximately 44 cm x 52 cm .

Medium: Engraving .

Date: 1798

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.