Naufrage des deux chaloupes, au Port des Français. First edition of the engraving.
Paris: L'Imprimerie de la Republique, 1797. Engraving. Handcolored and matted. The work titled "Naufrage des deux chaloupes, au Port des Francais" was created by Nicolas Marie Ozanne and engraved by Dequevauviller, with script by L. Aubert. It is Plage 25 in the "Atlas du Voyage de la Perouse," published in 1797 by L'Imprimerie de la Republique. The engraving measures 41 cm in width and 28 cm in height......
This composition is an engraved drawing depicting a dramatic maritime scene at Lituya Bay, Alaska. The setting is a tumultuous sea, where two longboats (chaloupes) are shown shipwrecked. The foreground is dominated by the chaotic struggle of sailors clinging to debris amidst towering waves. The figures are rendered with dynamic expressions and gestures, emphasizing the peril and urgency of the situation......
In the middle ground, the remaining parts of the vessels are visible, and some crew members attempt to navigate the wreckage. The background features a serene landscape of rugged mountains and dense forests, offering a stark contrast to the tumultuous scene in the foreground. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, enhancing the overall tension and atmosphere of the artwork........
The engraving's style reflects the precision and attention to detail typical of late 18th-century maritime art. The lines are finely etched, capturing both the ferocity of the sea and the tranquility of the surrounding landscape.......
This work is historically significant as it is part of the narrative of Jean-Francois de Galaup, comte de La Perouse's voyage. La Perouse embarked on an expedition from France in 1785 to further the discoveries initiated by Captain Cook. Unfortunately, he was shipwrecked in 1788, but his documented experiences, including maps and views, were preserved and published in this atlas........
The cultural context reflects the Age of Enlightenment's spirit of exploration and scientific inquiry, as European powers sought to chart unknown territories. This particular scene, set in Alaska, underscores the dangers faced by explorers during these expeditions.......
The engraving is part of a larger atlas, "La Perouse's Voyages," which contains 34 maps and views. This specific piece is listed under List No 3355.025 and Page No 25 in the Rumsey Collection. The work is an exceptional example of 18th-century cartographic art, issued to accompany La Perouse's global voyages, with particular emphasis on the hazards and discoveries encountered during these explorations. Item #51-7165
Price: $350.00