Forêt de cyprès, d’eucalyptus, de xanthorea etc.. à la Nlle Hollande.
Inscription au revers : Environs du Port Western, des pêcheurs transportent un phoque (d’après les communication de Mr de Sainson).
Frise du bord (border) : Cyprea & Casuarina.

After the engraving “Habitation de pecheurs de phoques au Port Western (Nouvelle Hollande)” by Louis Auguste de Sainson from VOYAGE DE LA CORVETTE L’ASTROLABE EXÉCUTÉ PAR ORDRE DU ROI.

Port Western, also known as Port du Roi Georges (King George Sound) in Nouvelle Hollande (New Holland), was a location visited by Jules-Sébastien-César Dumont d’Urville’s expedition aboard the Astrolabe in 1826. It is now part of Western Australia. The Astrolabe’s visit is documented in prints and lithographs, including those by Louis Auguste de Sainson and Pierre Langlume.
The term “Nouvelle Hollande” (New Holland) was the name given to Australia by the Dutch in the 17th century. D’Urville’s expedition, however, used the name Nouvelle Hollande to refer to the area around King George Sound specifically, as part of their exploration of the Australian coast
The prints and lithographs from the expedition, such as “Habitation de Pêcheurs de Phoques. au port western” and “Vue du Port du Roi Georges – Nouvelle Hollande”, depict the landscape, the interaction between the French sailors and the local Noongar people, and the exploratory activities of the expedition.
These visual records are valuable historical sources, offering insights into both the European exploration of Australia and the initial encounters between European explorers and the Indigenous population.

Louis Auguste de Sainson (1800 – 1887) was a French artist on the voyage of exploration on board the Astrolabe under the command of Dumont D’Urville which explored and visited the Pacific, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. He began his naval career at the port of Rochefort, working there from 21 August 1825 until 6 January 1826, where he joined the Astrolabe as a draughtsman. The Astrolabe visited Australia from October to December 1826 and De Sainson made a number of drawings of King George Sound (WA), Westernport VIC), and Jervis Bay NSW and Sydney). On the Astrolable’s return to Australian waters during December 1827 to early January 1828 the Astrolabe anchored at Hobart Town where de Sainson made a number of important drawings of Hobart and its environs. On his return to France de Sainson was part of the editorial group that made the official account Historical Atlas of the expedition ready or publication. In November 1829, at Dumont d’Urville’s request, de Sainson was promoted commis de marine 3e classe. He became a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneurin August 1831 and a commis de 2e classe in September 1833.