Bilder John Webber (1751–1793) – View of Hunting Walruses in the Arctic – Engraving (1785)

Beskrivning

"Chevaux de Mer" depicts sailors from the HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery hunting a herd of walruses on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean. The scene shows crew members in a small boat firing muskets at the animals while the main expedition ships are visible in the background among the ice and mist. This engraving is from the French edition of the account of the third voyage of Captain James Cook, published in Paris by Hotel de Thou.

John Webber was an English artist and expeditionary illustrator who served as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific Ocean. His primary responsibility was to record the landscapes, peoples, and customs encountered during the journey, providing a visual supplement to the scientific and navigational logs. Webber's drawings were the first detailed European representations of many Pacific cultures, including those of Hawaii, Alaska, and the South Sea Islands. After the voyage, he oversaw the engraving of his works for the official publication of Cook's journals. His contributions are considered foundational to the field of ethnographic art and were instrumental in shaping the European perception of the Pacific during the Enlightenment.

Artist or Maker:
John Webber.

Dimensions:
Approximately 40 cm x 27 cm.

Medium:
Engraving.

Date:
1785.

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.