118 John Webber (1751–1793) – A White Bear – Engraving - Large Folio (1784)
This zoological illustration depicts a Polar Bear standing on an ice floe in an Arctic environment. The bear is rendered in profile, positioned on rocky ice with the sea and distant icebergs visible in the background under a cloudy sky. The image documents an encounter made by Captain Cook's ships Resolution and Discovery during their exploration of the Bering Strait and the Arctic regions of Alaska. This print was included as a scientific illustration in the official, British Admiralty-sanctioned account of Captain James Cook's third and final voyage, titled A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean.
John Webber was an English landscape and portrait artist who served as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage of discovery (1776–1780) aboard HMS Resolution. His official task was to create drawings of the animals, places, and memorable scenes encountered, providing a meticulous visual record to supplement the written narrative. Upon returning to England, Webber oversaw the engraving of his sketches, resulting in the comprehensive atlas for the voyage publication.
Artist or Maker: John Webber
Dimensions: Approximately 22 × 27 cm
Medium: Engraving
Date: 1784
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
| Estimate | 400 - 600 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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