Re: william westall [and JJ]
Friday, 24 October, 2003 8:10
From:

To:
"richard westall"
Hi Richard,Well, if I can start at the back end first - I think that the missinglink might be Sir Joseph Banks ;-))There's a letter from Richard Westall to Sir Joseph dated 5th April 1806concerning William Westall's Australian artwork - and JJ arrived back inEngland on 26 June 1806Letter is online here:http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/banks/(Click on "Search the Banks papers", then tap Westall into the Authorbox). We know that Jorgenson went quickly to Banks, asking him to take care ofthe South Sea Islanders (one of them called Marquus) that he hadcollected on his voyage - to which Sir Joseph agreed. (With mixedresults).> Thank you for the image of Jorgenson's "Wreck Reef"> scene. Firstly the incident took place in 1803 not> 1804. This may not be important except I dont think> Westall would have been involved in such an error soon> after his return, more likely later in life when there> was confusion over dates.There's also a Wreck Reef sketch by Westall in the slsa (State Libraryof South Australia), incorrectly dated 1802.> Secondly the picture is very like one reproduced in> "Westall's Drawings" (Perry & Simpson Royal> Commonwealth Society 1963) on the last page of> reproduced illustrations (not numbered). This large> volume you would need to see at a library - it would> cost you more than £100.Well, I have just emailed a Librarian called Ursula Macdermott in thenla - she was checking for your article there, but told me the onlyRichard Westall in their catalogue died in 1850 ;-))But I see that they have that book in their catalogue, so maybe we canfind Sylvia Carr and/or the Wreck Reef painting, and compare notes ;-))> I am not sure about the picture you have but I think> it is most likely to be Jorgenson's close copy rather> than a tracing. Westall's drawings were sent back to> the Admiralty after the wreck and the artist went on> himself to China and India before his return to> EnglandTo the Admiralty - or to Banks? It's a bit of a puzzle to me why thesimple seascape versions are everywhere on the Net, when they could haveused one with passengers and sailors in it (presumably includingFlinders).But maybe that will become clear, in the fullness of time ;-))> Do you know anything of> Jorgenson's family as I wonder why Westall made> contact - if he die. He was a Dane, the second son of the King's watchmaker, also calledJorgen Jorgensen (or Jürgensen). Born 29 April 1800 (so close toWestall's age), excellent Danish education, but became apprenticed to anEnglish collier at age 14.Hero was James Cook, wanted to emulate him - but finished up in a spotof bother over Iceland, where he became Protector for a brief period in1809. (hence "King of Iceland").Finished up as a Convict in Tasmania, after a long stretch in Newgate inthe 1820s. Varied career, including service on the "Lady Nelson" as 2ndmate. Anglophile, worked as a spy in Europe for the English, writer andexplorer, kept losing money on the gambling tables ...A Danish version of Hornblower, you might say ;-))Cheers,Lesley(In sunny Melbourne)________________________________________________________________________>