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Lot Essay
In January 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition started with the intention of crossing Antarctica - 'the last great journey on earth' and in December, the ship Endurance entered the pack ice as she edged southwards. By January 1915 his ship was trapped in the ice and her position became steadily worse until the 27th October when she sank after being abandoned.
Shackleton and his men were forced to make a 600 mile trek across ice and ocean to solid land and then a 700 mile journey in an open boat to South Georgia, followed by an epic crossing of the uncharted mountains of that island.
Though the expedition failed in its objectives, the heroic achievements resulting from its various disasters have deservedly been writ large in the history of Antarctica. In the painting, Endurance is shown being pushed upwards by the pressure ridges. A line of ice mounds has been built and joined by cable to act as guidance during blizzards. Frank Hurley, the expedition's photographer, was also an experienced electrician and he fixed lights over the ship so that it could be seen at a distance to facilitate work during the dark winter. 'Dogloos' were also built around the ship to house the dogs, to encourage their exercise and to safeguard them from the break-up of the ship.
Shackleton is seen inspecting the dogs to whom he was keenly attached. When, owing to the shortage of food, he subsequently had to order them to be shot, he stated 'it was the worst job we had throughout the expedition and we felt their loss keenly'.
This painting has been executed in response to renewed interest in Shackleton's exploits and Christie's are grateful to the artist for his accompanying notes.
Shackleton and his men were forced to make a 600 mile trek across ice and ocean to solid land and then a 700 mile journey in an open boat to South Georgia, followed by an epic crossing of the uncharted mountains of that island.
Though the expedition failed in its objectives, the heroic achievements resulting from its various disasters have deservedly been writ large in the history of Antarctica. In the painting, Endurance is shown being pushed upwards by the pressure ridges. A line of ice mounds has been built and joined by cable to act as guidance during blizzards. Frank Hurley, the expedition's photographer, was also an experienced electrician and he fixed lights over the ship so that it could be seen at a distance to facilitate work during the dark winter. 'Dogloos' were also built around the ship to house the dogs, to encourage their exercise and to safeguard them from the break-up of the ship.
Shackleton is seen inspecting the dogs to whom he was keenly attached. When, owing to the shortage of food, he subsequently had to order them to be shot, he stated 'it was the worst job we had throughout the expedition and we felt their loss keenly'.
This painting has been executed in response to renewed interest in Shackleton's exploits and Christie's are grateful to the artist for his accompanying notes.