The botanical artist who sailed on the Endeavour, with Captain Cook,
to South America, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
This page is about the artist, his artwork and the story of its publication in Banks's Florilegium
to South America, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
This page is about the artist, his artwork and the story of its publication in Banks's Florilegium
Sydney Parkinson (1745 - 1771) - the botanical artist on the Endeavour
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Sydney Parkinson was the botanical draughtsman who accompanied Joseph Banks on Captain Cook's journey on the Endeavour to the South Seas and Australia .
He was the first European artist to
Significantly, Banks's Florilegium would not exist without the work that Sydney Parkinson carried out as botanical artist on the Endeavour |
There is very little information about Parkinson online or in books and this site continues to be a work in progress.
This site provides links to places online where you can find out
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An overview of Sydney Parkinson
BiographySydney Parkinson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1745 and was originally a woollen-draper.
He studied drawing and became proficient at drawing plants and flowers. He decided to move to London to improve his education and experience. Joseph Banks then became a significant person in what happened next. First, a young Joseph Banks discovered and then hired Parkinson to draw plants at the botanical garden at Kew. |
The Voyage of the EndeavourIn 1768, he was again hired by Joseph Banks as the botanical draughtsman to draw the plants on the next voyage on the Endeavour with Captain Cook to South America, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
Initially he was accompanied by Alexander Buchan, the topographical draughtsman - but he died in Tahiti and it's clear Parkinson also took on some of the work Buchan would have done. Sydney lived and worked on board ship (not a level surface!) in a small cabin surrounded by hundreds of specimens. In Tahiti he was plagued by swarms of flies which ate the paint as he worked. You can read more about the voyage in his Journal (see below) On the return trip the ship Endeavour was besieged by illness and Sydney Parkinson contracted dysentary at Princes Island, on the way to Cape Town. He died on January 26th 1771 and was buried at sea. Banks paid his outstanding salary to his brother. |
Portrait of Sydney Parkinson (1745–1771), botanical artist. It was the frontispiece to Parkinson's Journal of a voyage to the South Seas
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Banksia integrifolia watercolour by Sydney Parkinson from Banks' Florilegium
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Commemoration
Apart from his artwork being archived and published (see below), Parkinson is commemorated through the naming of:
- a plant - Ficus parkinsonii was named in his honour; ( This plant was collected by Banks, 23rd August, 1770. Booby Island Torres Strait, 10 deg 37 S. lat., 140 deg 50E) and
- a bird - Procellaria parkinsoni which has as its common and scientific name of Parkinson's Petrel
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ONLINE REFERENCES:
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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
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Joseph Banks' Florilegium: Botanical Treasures from Cook's First Voyage
by David Mabberley, Mel Gooding, Joseph Studholme
by David Mabberley, Mel Gooding, Joseph Studholme
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Dazzling in its detail and copiously annotated by modern experts, a beautiful tribute to a scientific expedition that is still yielding knowledge more than two centuries after it was undertaken. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Average Customer Rating out of 5 stars:
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This is an exceptional book in terms of its size, history and the quality of the current publication.
Never published in Banks's lifetime, this is the very first time that these images have been published in an affordable edition for the botanical art fan who likes to have a proper copy of the original plates.
It's now an even more affordable price than it was when it was first published in 2017.
Never published in Banks's lifetime, this is the very first time that these images have been published in an affordable edition for the botanical art fan who likes to have a proper copy of the original plates.
It's now an even more affordable price than it was when it was first published in 2017.
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Parkinson had been unable to complete his paintings - but he'd produced over 900 drawings/sketches and paintings.
Following his return from his voyage around the world with Captain Cook, Banks commissioned more than 700 engravings - using Parkinson's work as reference - between 1772 and 1784 . These engravings are now known collectively as Banks’ Florilegium. However the Florilegium was never published in Banks’ lifetime (read the story below) In 1990, a complete set in colour was issued in a boxed edition (limited to 100 copies) under the direction of the British Museum - but was very expensive to purchase. For this 2017 book, a limited set of full colour plates were chosen for the publication. It includes
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Hardcover: 320 pages (no e-book available)
Artwork: 175+ illustrations in color and black and white Size: This is a BIG book 10.7 in x 14.3 in x 1.4 in | 355 mm x 265 mm Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd; Publication date: (1st edition): 19 October 2017 This is not a cheap book but costs far less than the limited edition version. My copy was given to me as a Christmas present - and it makes an excellent present! Quite unlike anything else I've ever received. BUY IN UK BUY IN THE USA |
from Amazon UK
Sydney Parkinson's artwork
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After very many years, Sydney Parkinson is finally getting recognition for the very valuable work he performed on such an important voyage of discovery.
Parkinson completed
His works have been commemorated in
The originals are kept in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum. |
Banksia dentata watercolour from Bank's Florilegium
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The Endeavour Botanical Illustrations of Sydney Parkinson
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The first journey around the world on the HMS Endeavour (1768-1771) was both a voyage of historical significance and scientific discovery.
Sydney Parkinson sketched the plants the explorers found and collected on the voyage to Australia, His role was as artist working with Joseph Banks and Carol Solander. The Endeavour Botanical Illustrations are now held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum (The link is to an image gallery of botanical art from the first voyage of the Endeavour.) The Botany Library
The Endeavour illustrations were once part of the famous Banksian Collections that were given to the British Museum's Trustees in 1827. However the British Museum's Museum's Department of Natural History - and the associated collections including the plant and animal specimens with their directly associated artwork and documents - relocated to South Kensington in the late nineteenth century. The new site became known as the Natural History Museum. Since then the NHM has developed a microsite for all the materials which tell the story of the journey which are now archived at the Museum. It's also possible to make an appointment to view the artwork. |
The Endeavour Botanical Illustrations relate to the following countries - the links provide a list of illustrations and/or associated images
Parkinson created nearly a thousand drawings and painted studies while working in difficult conditions. At the beginning of the voyage he was able to keep pace with the discoveries being made. However as the voyage progressed, the number of new specimens being found overwhelmed him Parkinson had to adapt the way he worked in order to keep pace!
However, Parkinson died before he could complete his work. |
Below are a couple of watercolour-on-paper drawings attributed to other artists and based on Parkinson's work.
The latter exercise was undertaken as part of the process of creating the work for the Banks's Florilegium - which is the next part of the story.....
- The original study would have been drawn and at least partly coloured by Sydney Parkinson who, for example, was present when Banksia ericfolia was first collected at Botany Bay, Australia.
- Other artists were the engaged to complete Parkinson's original studies or create new watercolours based on Parkinson's sketches.
The latter exercise was undertaken as part of the process of creating the work for the Banks's Florilegium - which is the next part of the story.....
Pōhutukawa, (Metrosideros excelsa), collected at Tolaga Bay, New Zealand, during Sir James Cook's first Pacific voyage on the Endeavour, 1768-1771. Coloured engraving, ink and watercolours on Paper.
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Banksia ericifolia watercolour from Bank's Florilegium
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NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM REFERENCES
The Natural History Museum has developed various web pages to explain how they came about.The following links to further information are all from the Natural History Museum website
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BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY SYDNEY PARKINSON
OTHER REFERENCES
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Banks' Florilegium - with drawings and paintings by Sydney Parkinson
Banks' Florilegium takes its name from Joseph Banks.
It comprises 743 botanical line engravings, which were created based on the expedition drawings and watercolour paintings that Sydney Parkinson from nature of the plants collected on his journey with Banks and Daniel Solander on Captain James Cook’s first voyage round the world, 1768-1771.
It comprises 743 botanical line engravings, which were created based on the expedition drawings and watercolour paintings that Sydney Parkinson from nature of the plants collected on his journey with Banks and Daniel Solander on Captain James Cook’s first voyage round the world, 1768-1771.
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Plants were collected by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr Daniel Carl Solander in Madeira, Brazil, Tierra del Fuego, the Society Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Java.
Sydney Parkinson had been employed by Banks to travel with him on the voyage and make drawings of the plants and animals collected by Banks and on the voyage. After Parkinson died, Banks had a dispute with Parkinson's brother Stanfield Parkinson. Banks argued that the drawings and sketches were not part of Parkinson's estate as he had employed Parkinson to produce the illustrations - and therefore they belonged to him. Banks then employed five artists between 1772 and 1778 to complete Parkinson's sketches. The artists were:
Between 1771 and 1784 Banks hired 18 engravers to create the copperplate line engravings from the 743 completed watercolors at a considerable cost of 7,000. They duly produced a total of a total of 743 selected engravings. Their names were:
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This is a watercolour-on-paper drawing of Banksia serrata. The work would have been heavily based on a partially coloured sketch by Sydney Parkinson, Sir Joseph Banks' botanical artist who was present when the species was first collected at Botany Bay, Australia.
It is not known whether the drawing was completed by Parkinson, or whether it was delivered unfinished for completion by one of the London artist employed by Banks for that purpose. The painting is attributed to John Frederick Miller who was thought to have completed the work that Parkinson started.
The Florilegium was not printed in Banks’ lifetime and he bequeathed the plates to the British Museum.
All but a few of the 743 copperplate engravings have survived to the present day, despite air-raid damage to the British Museum in September 1940. Below are links to the images produced for the 1988 Edition - by location: |
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The great Florilegium of his work was finally published in 1988 by Alecto Historical Editions in 35 volumes and 100 editions.
Alecto Historical Editions used the " la poupe" technique of colour printing from copper plates. The engravings have also been digitized and published online by the Natural History Museum in London. Below is a Natural History Museum video about printmaker Katrina van Grouw who talks about the work of illustrator Sydney Parkinson and shows how she uses metal-plate engraving to print and reproduce his work. |
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REFERENCE
- Banks Florilegium - Home Page - Alecto Historical Editions published Banks Florilegium inassociation with the British Museum (Natural History). This monumental work depicts the plantscollected by Banks and Solander on Captain James Cook's first circumnavigation of the world. This is the link to the online display of thumbnail images of the work
- Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand | Topic: Banks' Florilegium - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Daniel Solander wrote a manuscript describing all the species collected from New Zealand during the six months the expedition spent here.
- Banks' Florilegium | NZETC - EARLY NEW ZEALAND BOTANICAL ART - BANKS' FLORILEGIUM. All but a few of the 743 copperplate engravings have survived to the present day, despite air-raid damage to the British Museum in September 1940.
- Filoli Museum - The Banks' Florilegium - The Filoli Museum has a copy of the Banks Florilegium.
- Banks Florilegium - auctioned by Sotheby's New York on 14 December 2015 for $20,000 -
35 boxes [including Supplement], broadsheet folio (785 x 606 mm).
743 copper-engraved plates in titled window mounts, color printed "à la poupée" in up to 17 colors with additional watercolor touches from the original eighteenth-century copperplates (18 x 12 in.; 457 x 305 mm), engraved by D. MacKenzie, G. Sibelius, G. Smith and others after T. Burgis, J. Miller, J.F. Miller, F.P. Nodder, S. Parkinson... The supplement engravings being modern replications (the original 5 plates were stolen in 1973).
Plates mounted in Somerset mould paper mats with letterpress captions and separated by loose tissue guards and housed within linen-backed tan board portfolios. Letterpress broadsides of title-pages, list of engravings, and method of production in each portfolio. Green buckram folding cases, printed paper labels on upper boards and spines.
[Together with:] Catalogue of Banks' Florilegium. London: 1990. Folio (552 x 381 mm). 8 uncolored engraved plates numbered in pencil 21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621 and 721. Green cloth, morocco spine lettered gilt.
[With]: Banks' Florilegium's Prospectus, Subscription form and Publishing timetable.
Sotheby's catalogue record of the lot offered for sale
Sydney Parkinson's Journal
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A JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO THE SOUTH SEAS, IN HIS Majesty's Ship, The ENDEAVOUR.
Faithfully transcribed from the Papers of the late SYDNEY PARKINSON, Draughtsman to JOSEPH BANKS, Esq. on his late Expedition. with Dr. SOLANDER, round the World. EMBELLISHED WITH Views and Designs, delineated by the AUTHOR, and engraved by capital Artists. LONDON: Printed for STANFIELD PARKINSON, the EDITOR: And sold by Messrs RICHARDSON and URQUHART, at the ROYAL-EXCHANGE; EVANS, in PATER-NOSTER Row ; HOOPER, on LUDGATE-HILL ; MURRAY, in FLEET-STREET; LEACROFT, at CHARING-CROSS; and RILEY, in CURZON-STREET, MAY-FAIR. M.DCC.LXXIII. |
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Detail of drawing by ship's artist Sydney Parkinson, made in June 1770, showing James Cook's Endeavour being careened on the beach at the mouth of the Endeavour River in Far North Queensland, Australia, in order to repair damages after having hit the Endeavour Reef (part of the Great Barrier Reef) on 11 June 1770.
Parkinson's other drawings from the Endeavour Voyage
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Parkinson's Drawings of New Zealand
Sydney Parkinson produced many drawings of the natives of New Zealand with tattoos. Sydney Parkinson's drawings can now be seen at the British Museum London, England.
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"House and Plantation of a Chief of the Island of Otaheite." by Sydney Parkinson (reproduced as an engraving)
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Finally - a little more about the role of Sir Joseph Banks as a natural history scientist in relation to the Endeavour and the purpose of its voyage.
Note: All images sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons
Parkinson's Natural History Drawings
Natural history drawing was a new discipline at the time of the voyage of the Endeavour. Zoology was very much a new branch of knowledge - as was botany. The emphasis was very much on drawing botanical specimens.
Natural history drawing was a new discipline at the time of the voyage of the Endeavour. Zoology was very much a new branch of knowledge - as was botany. The emphasis was very much on drawing botanical specimens.
Parkinson was the first European to observe and draw a kangaroo, the Australian landscape and natural history and Australian Aborigines
Natural History Museum
A kangaroo by Sudney Parkinson (engraved later). This kangaroo was seen at Endeavour River on 23 June 1770.
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