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Natural history

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"Cassowary"
Artist: Raper, George
Created: [1792]
Dimensions: 29.6 x 23.8 cm
Reference: Raper Drawing - no. 36

 
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  • George Raper]
  • The drawing is inscribed in black ink in a panel below the drawing "CASSOWARY from an ORIGINAL DRAWING in possession of Mr. Mason - Cape Good Hope".
  • The drawing is signed and dated "GEO: RapeR.# 1792 ~" below the drawing at lower right.
  • The drawing is inscribed in pencil at bottom left with the number "36", at bottom right "35" and on the reverse "42".
  • The bird was identified by Hindwood (1964) as the New Guinean Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius. Hindwood identifies the Mr. Mason of the title as Francis Masson, botanist to King George III, who was sent to the Cape of Good Hope to collect plants in 1771 and 1786-1795.
  • Raper passed through Cape Town in the Waaksamheyd between December 1791 and January 1792, en route for England.
  • The author of this catalogue record is Suzanne Stenning.
  • By permission of the trustees of the Natural History Museum (London).
  • Two sets of transparencies held in the Natural History Museum (London) Zoology Library and Picture Library: Picture Library order number 15136
  • Miss Eva Godman donated 1962
  • Data sheet available.
  • Hindwood, K.A. 'George Raper: an Artist of the First Fleet', Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society, Vol. 50, Pt. 1, 1964 pp.32-57.
  • Wheeler, A. and Smith, B, (eds.) The Art of the First Fleet and other early Australian Drawings. New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1988 (pl. 149, p. 141).