George Raper Paintings

George Raper was an English naval officer and artist known for his detailed and vivid natural history illustrations, particularly of birds. Born in 1769, Raper joined the Royal Navy at a young age. He is most renowned for the body of work he produced during the First Fleet's voyage to Australia from 1787 to 1788, as part of the British expedition that established the first European colony in Australia.

Raper served as a midshipman aboard the HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet. During his time at sea and while stationed in the fledgling colony of New South Wales, he took advantage of the opportunity to document the exotic flora and fauna he encountered. His illustrations are noted for their accuracy, attention to detail, and vibrant use of color, which was particularly remarkable given the limited resources available to him at the time.

Despite his promising talent, George Raper's life was cut short. He died at the age of 28 on November 24, 1797, in India. Although his career was brief, his work remains a valuable source of information on the natural history of Australia during the period of European colonization. Raper's illustrations are not only significant for their artistic merit but also for their contribution to the scientific knowledge of the era. They provide insight into the early interactions between European settlers and the Australian environment, capturing the biodiversity that faced new pressures with the arrival of the First Fleet and subsequent colonial activities.