ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH FROM SCOTT'S EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
The Terra Nova at the Ice Foot, Cape Evans
The Fine Art Society, 1914.
Original blue-green tinted carbon photograph. 710x525mm. With Ponting's blindstamp signature to the lower right corner, and the original Fine Art Society label to the backing. A near fine example, with very faint ghosting from its original mount and minor retouching to a couple of spots.
An excellent example of one of the most iconic images from the Heroic Age of Exploration, in the largest available format. Ponting being photographer on Scott's British Antarctic Expedition, aboard the Terra Nova.
Ponting had fitted out a dark-room aboard the Terra Nova, and begun photographing on its journey south from New Zealand. He took two film-cameras with him and several still cameras, chiefly taking 7 x 5 inch glass plate negatives and developing them on the ship, as in the present example. Once the ship had made it to Ross Island and 'the hut' was established on Cape Evans, Ponting set up a second dark-room where he would work, sleep and live for the remainder of the expedition.
This image is enlarged from the negative made by Ponting at Cape Evans, taken on 16 January 1911. Of it, David Hempleman-Adams has written "This photograph was taken in midsummer. It was crucial that the ship got as close to the hut as possible and that the team unloaded the stores before there was a storm or any adverse weather. It would have been very important that the ship then departed on time so it wouldn't get stuck in the pack ice on its return. This photograph shows wildlife along the edge, which you wouldn't have seen in the winter, and the open water. There is a remarkable stillness about this this image which I love. It would have been relatively warm and at this time of year Ponting would have been able to use the time to take picturesque photographs. The gentle curve of the icicles mirrors the shape of the ship."
PROVENANCE: The Fine Art Society, 1914, No. 27.
Stock ID: 40146
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