18th and 19th C. explorers brought visual journalists onboard their sailing expeditions. One of the most notable was Louis Le Breton (1818-1866). As a young man he displayed an exceptional talent for art, but he chose to study medicine at the L'école de Santé des Armées de Brest with the intention of becoming a surgeon in the French Navy. In 1838, after graduation, Le Breton was recruited to travel on Admiral Dumont d’Urville’s second voyage, aboard two ships, the Astrolabe and the Zélée. King Louis-Philippe ordered that the expedition aim for the South Magnetic Pole and claim Antarctica for France. The admiral had little interest in polar exploration and preferred exploring tropical routes in the South Pacific.
The voyage was filled with mishaps and misfortunes. When the ship’s naval artist died in Hobart, Tasmania; D'Urville replaced him with the young Dr. Le Breton. This was the beginning of his long and circuitous career as an illustrator and chronicler of the faraway unknown.
As Le Breton traveled with the French Navy, he became a skilled marine painter. But he was also curious about the exotic people and cultures he discovered. He made panoramic views of the ports-of-call he visited. What followed were many expeditions around the globe, often in service to France’s colonial campaigns. His in situ drawings were often converted to color lithographs. With the growing popularity of these prints, and the art commissions he received from publications like L’Illustration, he gained some fame.
In this video made by the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem, Massachusetts, two artists discuss the significance of Louis Le Breton's painting, The Astrolabe and the Zelee stranded in the Torres Strait. The painting portrays the French ships that ran aground on a coral reef in the Torres Strait, north of Australia, during a three-year expedition. Le Breton, as the official painter, was responsible for creating a visual narrative of these events.
The painting depicts the dramatic scene with a classical composition that captures the essence of the situation at hand, while also incorporating elements of the local indigenous culture. They engage in their everyday activities of hunting and gathering. One can observe cultural nuances that identify them as Torres Strait Islanders - from their dugout canoes to the distinct ‘sago’ markers and bone formations of sea mammals strewn on the shoreline. Through keen observation, Le Breton, skillfully portrays both the dynamic event unfolding and the unique anthropology of this place.
A Devilish Turn:
Despite being well known for his marine paintings, it was Le Breton's detailed and evocative illustrations for the 1863 edition of Collin de Plancy's Infernal Dictionary that brought him lasting acclaim. This compendium of all things diabolical showcases Le Breton's talent through 69 haunting illustrations of occult demons. From stilt-legged owl men to insect-legged frog kings and spiral-horned jesters, these eerie depictions are impossible to forget.
Such a frightful bestiary stands in stark contrast to Le Breton's peaceful maritime art. One can't help but wonder why Le Breton took this intriguing detour. Did he simply apply his exceptional skills as an illustrator to the commission from de Plancy? Or were these imaginings born from the demons that haunted him in his nights at sea?
Louis Le Breton’s captivating voyages spanned uncharted seas, from scientific expeditions into the realms of the occult. He searched to find a balance between science fact and riveting fiction. These distinctive roles, as explorer, storyteller and artist intertwine, rendering him and his art undeniably intriguing.
Why did explorers bring artists on board their voyages? Artists played a vital role creating detailed maps of uncharted waters and documenting the landscapes, plants, animals, and indigenous peoples they encountered. Notably, Joseph Banks took specimens and made flora and fauna illustrations during Captain Cook's circumnavigations, from 1768 to 1778, that serve as valuable visual and scientific records. The illustrated accounts by artists captured the public's imagination and garnered support for exploration (despite the overt colonialist intentions). Their art depicted wonders discovered, such as tropical birds, icebergs, and native ceremonies. These creative chroniclers played a crucial role in expanding our knowledge and understanding of the world.
More to Know:
See more ships and demons by Louis Le Breton here.
Defining the Demonic, an essay by Ed Simon in The Public Domain Review
Fascinating! How did they carry a sufficient quantity of paints and materials for these trips? I wonder if they had ways to make more color on the go..
I love your Substack! Thank you. So amazing to imagine what a world would be like where we were not drowning in images everyday!