Attributed to William John Huggins (British, 1781-1845) The Brig Jane and Cutter Beaufoy in the James Weddell Antarctic Expedition 1823 image 1

Lot 126

Attributed to William John Huggins
(British, 1781-1845)
The Brig Jane and Cutter Beaufoy in the James Weddell Antarctic Expedition 1823

Travel & Exploration

7 February 2018, 13:00 GMT

London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £18,750 inc. premium

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Attributed to William John Huggins (British, 1781-1845)

The Brig Jane and Cutter Beaufoy in the James Weddell Antarctic Expedition 1823
bears inscription on old label on reverse saying 'James Weddell Antarctic Expedition 1823./James Weddell Esq.,R.N., made some important/antartic discoveries while commanding vessels/owned by Messrs Enderby of Cowes, the Brig/Jane & cutter Beaufoy, penetrated as far/south as 74^o 15' without being stopped by ice./title for:-/The Brig Jane and Cutter Beaufoy in the James/Weddell antarctic Expedition 1823./Engraving by E. Duncan after W. J. Huggins.'
oil on canvas
61 x 91.5cm (24 x 36in).

Footnotes

James Weddell's 1822-24 expedition into uncharted waters around Antarctica was driven by a desire to find fresh sealing grounds as the trade in oil and furs grew. Weddell commanded the brig Jane, while the captain of the cutter Beaufoy was Matthew Brisbane. Enjoying an unusually mild trip meant that they were able to sail further south than any other ship had been up to that point, reaching latitude 74°15′S and longitude 34°16′45″W. A large straight of water in this area would be titled the Weddell Sea in recognition of the man who first chartered it.

The source of this image is a sketch by James Weddell (see fig. 1) which is engraved as a plate in his book 'A Voyage Towards the South Pole: Performed in the Years 1822-24', published 1825. This painting is thought to be the lost original upon which the aquatint by Edward Duncan (see fig. 2) is copied, as there is no record of any other works by Huggins depicting this subject.

The aquatint is inscribed -
'To James Weddell Esqr. R.N. The Officers and Seamen under his Command/This plate, representing the BRIG JANE and CUTTER BEAUFOY, on 20^th February 1823, bearing up in 74⁰.15'. /(Being the highest Southern Latitude ever reached)/Is most respectfully dedicated by their very Obedient Humble Servant/W.J.Huggins.'

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Attributed to William John Huggins(British, 1781-1845)The Brig Jane and Cutter Beaufoy in the James Weddell Antarctic Expedition 1823