The Artist Explorers: Painting The New World

The British and other Europeans were enticed to explore unknown lands by the promise of riches, fertile land, and the opportunity for discovery. Artists accompanied these explorers to document their adventures, creating valuable works that shaped the British public's perception of their countrymen's discoveries and the lives of those who remained in these far-off places.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The allure of riches, including spices and gold, and the prospect of fertile land, enticed the British and other Europeans to embark on perilous journeys to unknown lands. These intrepid explorers, who dedicated their lives to exploration, often accompanied artists to document their exploits and experiences. At the time, there was no other means of visually capturing their adventures. James Cook and his botanist Joseph Banks enlisted the talents of artists Alexander Buchan and Sydney Parkinson for their initial voyage to the South Seas. Buchan's initial pictures captured the native inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego as the Endeavour rounded Cape Horn, but tragically, he passed away within a month, reportedly due to epilepsy. Thomas Baines accompanied Livingstone, while Charles Heaphy in New Zealand and the Governor's wife in India were among many others who produced drawings and paintings. These remarkable works shaped the British public's perception of their countrymen's discoveries and, later, the lives of those who remained in these far-flung places. Even until the early 20th century, their publication in the illustrated papers of the day remained the cornerstone of popular appreciation.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399047111