Illustrations of people of the New Hebrides and Solomon Islands

James Glen Wilson (1827 - 1863)

Ulster Museum

1853 - 1854

James Glen Wilson, from County Down, joined the Royal Navy in 1852 as a member of the survey vessel HMS Herald. The aim of the voyage was to undertake a scientific survey of the islands of Australia and of the southwest Pacific and Wi1son acted both as official artist and as photographer. His many works form a highly important record of the Herald's voyage and are a continuing source of information for scientists and ethnographers. Some150 works in oils, watercolours and pencil were made during the voyage. These two pencil drawings and three watercolours show people from the New Hebrides (now called Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands. All are of particular interest, especially the pencil drawing of the San Cristobal woman, who wears a band of red or brown grass plaited round each wrist and pearl shell armlets on each arm.

• Medium: watercolour & pencil
• Dimensions: 20 x 16 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £4200 ( Total: £6,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2000
• Vendor: Michael Graham-Stewart

Provenance

unknown to museum

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