Bilder John Webber (1751-1793) – Natives of Oonalashka and their Habitations – Etching and engraving (1784)

Beskrivning

"Natives of Oonalashka, and their Habitations." This work illustrates a settlement of the Unangan (Aleut) people on Unalaska Island in the Aleutian chain. The scene depicts a rugged, treeless coastal landscape with semi-subterranean dwellings known as barabaras, which were partially dug into the earth and covered with sod for insulation. Figures are shown in traditional parkas made of bird skins or sea mammal gut, with various kayaks (baidarkas) positioned along the shore. This large folio engraving is from the official record of Captain James Cook's third and final voyage, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, published in London in 1784. The plate is historically significant for providing the first detailed European visual documentation of the Aleutian Islanders and their ingenious architectural adaptations to the harsh subarctic environment.

John Webber was an English artist and traveler who served as the official expedition artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific. Trained in London and Paris, Webber was commissioned to create a visual record of the people, landscapes, and artifacts encountered during the journey. His on-site sketches provided the basis for the numerous engravings that accompanied the published journals of the voyage, which became a massive commercial success and shaped European perceptions of the Pacific and Northwest Coast regions. Webber's commitment to topographical and ethnographic accuracy earned him high regard in both scientific and artistic circles, and he was elected to the Royal Academy in 1791. His body of work remains a primary historical source for the study of eighteenth-century global exploration and Indigenous cultures.

Artist or Maker:
John Webber.

Dimensions:
Approximately 40 cm x 55 cm.

Medium:
Etching and engraving.

Date:
1784.

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.