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This authentic 18th-century copperplate engraving titled "View of the Whale Fishery, &c. in Greenland" offers a fascinating historical snapshot of the perilous Arctic whaling industry during the late 1700s.
The scene captures multiple sailing ships navigating iceberg-filled waters, with smaller open boats actively engaged in the hunt. Depicted are whalemen harpooning large whales and hunting polar bears on ice floes, a vivid representation of a practice essential for oil during the Industrial Revolution. The print is notable for its detailed decorative border, which features floral and ivy motifs, and was engraved by the artist Thornton.
This piece was originally produced as a book illustration for publications such as Moore's Voyages & Travels or George Henry Millar's New, Complete and Universal System of Geography, published by Alexander Hogg around the 1780s. Whaling prints are prized not just for their artistic merit, but for their significant historical and sociological value, making them a compelling acquisition for collectors of maritime art and history.
Key Features
Artist: Engraved by Thornton (British 18th Century School).
Title: "View of the Whale Fishery, &c. in Greenland".
Medium: Copperplate Engraving on paper.
Approximate Date: Circa 1780-1785.
Publisher: Printed for Alex Hogg, London, for inclusion in contemporary travel and geography texts.
Subject: Historical whaling scene, ships, icebergs, whales, and polar bears.
Condition: In good antique condition with typical signs of age, which may include some minor staining or foxing (please refer to photos for exact condition).

Dimensions; H:13in W:9in