Prints

View in Macao including the Residence of Camoens where he wrote his Lusiad.

J. Webber fecit 1788.   London. Pubd. April 1, 1809 by Boydell & Compy. No. 90 Cheapside.  Vide Cook's Last Voyage Vol. 3 Chap. XI. 

On Whatman paper with watermark, J. WHATMAN 1820

This beautiful view of Macau is towards the Inner Harbour and Lappa and was engraved by the artist John Webber in 1788 based on drawings he had made during his visit in 1779.

From left to right you see part of the wall of Monte Fort , a side view of St Paul's with bell tower, before being destroyed in the fire of 1835. The roof of the old Santo Antonio church and Camoens Gardens.

John Webber accompanied James Cook on two of his important voyages of discovery and was engaged as the artist for Cook's third voyage, during which Cook discovered Hawaii & Alaska.

Cook's ships were the first Western contact with the natives of Nootka Sound and the furs they traded with them were sold at a vast profit in Macao in the following year, 1779. Soon American and English ships were making annual trips to the Northwest Coast in search of "Sea Beaver" pelts. Webber published only 16 views in his book, Views in the South Seas from drawings by the late John Webber - London,1808. Having two views of Macao was a tribute to the port's importance on the voyage.

Reference

Abbey, Travel 595 - page 539 no.12.

P5302.  Chater VII.4.1