Bilder James Cook (1728-1779) – View of the Endeavour River – Australia – Engraving (1774)

Beskrivning

"Vue de la Riviere d'Endeavour sur la Cote de la Nouvelle Hollande ou le Vaisseau fut mis a la bande" This engraving depicts a significant historical event during James Cook's first voyage of discovery. The scene shows the HMS Endeavour careened on the banks of the river that now bears its name in northern Queensland, Australia. The ship is tilted on its side for urgent repairs to its hull after striking the Great Barrier Reef. In the foreground, a small boat carrying crew members navigates the river, while the shoreline features a temporary encampment set against a backdrop of steep, wooded hills. This plate was published in the French edition of James Cook's voyages, translated by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Suard and printed in Paris.

James Cook was a British naval captain, navigator, and cartographer who achieved global fame for his three voyages of discovery to the Pacific Ocean. During his first expedition, he charted the eastern coast of Australia, claiming the region for Great Britain under the name New South Wales. The seven weeks spent at the Endeavour River allowed for the first extensive European study of Australian flora and fauna, including the first recorded sighting of a kangaroo by Europeans. Cook's charts and the accompanying illustrations provided the first detailed visual and geographic records of the Australian continent for a European audience. His legacy remains a foundational element in the history of maritime exploration and the scientific documentation of the Pacific.

Artist or Maker: James Cook.

Dimensions: Approximately 41 cm x 25 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1774.

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.