In the 18th century European exploration took a more scientific direction. Explorers began to include naturalists and artists as part of the ship's company on their voyages. The combination of naturalist (trained in the scientific identification and study of plants, animals and insects) and artist (either formally trained or self-taught) resulted in the production of a vivid and invaluable record of life forms and landscapes never before seen by Europeans.

Sir Joseph Banks, an accomplished naturalist-explorer and member of The Royal Society which sponsored Cook's first Pacific voyage, traveled with Cook and brought back many specimens. Assisting Banks was botanical draughtsman Sydney Parkinson , who produced hundreds of drawings of new species of flora and fauna, and artist Alexander Buchan, who painted images of the environments they visited. The amount of information brought back by Cook and these men was so impressive that the Lords of the Admiralty insisted that an artist accompany Cook on further voyages.

Artist William Hodges was part of the ship's company on Cook's second voyage, while John Webber was appointed official artist on Cook's third voyage which reached the northwest coast of America. Webber produced hundreds of detailed watercolours and drawings, several depicting Nootka Sound and the First Nations peoples that inhabited the region.

When the artists arrived home their work was transferred into an engraved format and published with the official account of the voyage. Understandably, these published accounts of Cook's voyages became best-sellers.

Another fine pictorial account of the scenery and peoples of the northwest coast was produced by Jose Cardero. Cardero was the appointed artist (as well as scribe, mapmaker, and pilot) on board the Spanish expedition of 1792 led by Valdes and Galiano.

View some examples of Cardero's work
View some examples of Parkinsons's work
View some examples of Webber's work
View various other works

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