Title: Sharing Astrolabe Gifts at King George's Harbour, New Holland
Description: This evocative lithograph, circa 1836, illustrates a fascinating moment of cultural interaction at King George’s Harbour (modern-day Albany, Western Australia) during the voyage of the French corvette Astrolabe. The scene features an Indigenous man enthusiastically displaying items received as gifts from the Astrolabe to a group of his peers. The Indigenous figures, dressed in a mix of traditional attire and European-style shirts, are captured in dynamic poses, their expressions ranging from curiosity to delight as they examine the foreign objects.
On the right, a European sailor, animated and gesturing with enthusiasm, showcases the objects, which include necklaces and trinkets, while other crew members observe the encounter with bemusement. The scene is set in a grassy clearing near a small fire, adding a sense of immediacy and realism to this cross-cultural exchange.
Created by Louis Auguste de Sainson, this lithograph was included in Dumont d'Urville’s narratives and later reproduced in Brodtmann’s *Entdeckungs, Reise der Franzosischen Corvette Astrolabe*. The composition skillfully captures the blend of curiosity, wonder, and human connection that characterized such encounters during the age of exploration.
Condition Report: Marginal toning and light foxing, with minor edge wear. The image area is clear, retaining excellent detail and sharpness. Handling wear is minimal, and overall condition is very good.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.