Picturing the Pacific: Joseph Banks and the shipboard artists of Cook and Flinders

摘要

Taylor's book comes just as institutions, societies and governments are beginning the decade-long process of commemorating the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook's three voyages to the Pacific. On 25 August 1768 Cook set out in the Endeavour to view the transit of Venus and search for the unknown southern continent in the South Seas. With him were a team of experts led by the young Sir Joseph Banks. It is Banks's contribution which Taylor wishes to highlight in his book, particularly Banks's considerable role in producing works by artists assigned to Admiralty exploration voyages.