Engraving, title page of Atlas du voyage de Lapérouse
DETAILS
TitleEngraving, title page of Atlas du voyage de LapérouseDate1988About this objectThis is the title page of a set of 70 copperplate engravings from Atlas du voyage de Lapérouse. This version of the atlas is printed and hand coloured in 1988 – to mark the bicentenary of La Pérouse’s visit of Botany Bay – using the original 1797 plates. The set of prints were gifted to the La Perouse Museum in 2003 by Michel Rocard, former Prime Minister of France on behalf of the Terra Australis Committee, France.
Designed in the style of a typical allegorical painting, the image depicts a group of figures centred around a large, unfurled map, with dotted lines indicating the route of La Pérouse’s voyage. Elements such as an anchor, armillary sphere, sextant, telescope, marine sandglass and sketching paper highlight the navigation theme of the image. The floral specimens, figures in robes and fur, and the landscape in the background are reminiscent of the observations made during the expedition, which are depicted throughout the atlas.
The original copperplates of the 1797 atlas accompanying the journal of La Pérouse’s expedition during 1785 and 1788 are now held in the collection of the Musée de la Marine, Paris. They were etched in 1796-1797 based on sketches sent back to France during the expedition.Object No.2003.1-70Inscriptions & marksAtlas du voyage de La Pérouse / Dessiné par J. M. Moreau le Jeune / Gravé par Ph. Triere / V.197Place madeFranceSourceLa Perouse MuseumProvenance 1797 – first edition of the Atlas du voyage de Lapérouse published by the Imprimerie de la Republique;
1988 – printed and hand coloured by the Musée de la Marine, Paris from the 1797 copperplates;
24 March 2003 – gifted to the La Perouse Museum on behalf of Terra Australis Committee with the support of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.Credit lineGift of Mr Michel Rocard on behalf of Terra Australis Committee France with the support of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, 2003Acquisition date24 March 2003Organisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesEuropean arrivals
Engraving, title page of Atlas du voyage de Lapérouse (1988). Randwick City Council, accessed 12/02/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/13950
