Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9216
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‘Two of the Natives of New Holland, Advancing to Combat’
Date
1773
Creator
Thomas Chambers (1724 - 1789, British) , Engraver
After
Sydney Parkinson (1740 - 1771, British) , Draftsman
Object type
Library reference
58306
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 255mm
width (print): 200mm
width (print): 200mm
Subject
Geography
> Exploration
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British Empire
> Exploration
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British Empire
Description
Full length portrait of two Gweagal, or Gwiyagal, men in profile. Both hold spears, one holds a shield, and both display signs of traditional tatooing, tatua, and body piercing.
Illustration from A journal of a voyage to the South Seas, in His Majesty's ship, The Endeavour, by Sydney Parkinson (London, 1773), which was published posthumously.
Sydney Parkinson (c.1745-1771) Scottish natural history artist and Joseph Banks's (1743–1820) illustrator on board HMS Endeavour's voyage to the Pacific in 1768, under Lieutenant James Cook (1728-1779).
Endeavour's mission was to observe the Transit of Venus, which they did from Tahiti on 3rd June 1769, and explore, claim resources and trade in the 'unknown southern land', Terra Australis Incognita. The expedition party's landing at Botany Bay and encounter with these two men was the earliest between them and the first nations people of Australia. It led to violence, with Cook firing his musket at them and injuring one in the leg.
The Gweagal, or Gwiyagal, people were of the Dharawal Eora nation and lived on the southern side of the Georges River and Botany Bay, stretching towards the Kurnell Peninsula.
Illustration from A journal of a voyage to the South Seas, in His Majesty's ship, The Endeavour, by Sydney Parkinson (London, 1773), which was published posthumously.
Sydney Parkinson (c.1745-1771) Scottish natural history artist and Joseph Banks's (1743–1820) illustrator on board HMS Endeavour's voyage to the Pacific in 1768, under Lieutenant James Cook (1728-1779).
Endeavour's mission was to observe the Transit of Venus, which they did from Tahiti on 3rd June 1769, and explore, claim resources and trade in the 'unknown southern land', Terra Australis Incognita. The expedition party's landing at Botany Bay and encounter with these two men was the earliest between them and the first nations people of Australia. It led to violence, with Cook firing his musket at them and injuring one in the leg.
The Gweagal, or Gwiyagal, people were of the Dharawal Eora nation and lived on the southern side of the Georges River and Botany Bay, stretching towards the Kurnell Peninsula.
Associated place