WD2209

19 drawings of scenes and landscapes made during an embassy to Ethiopia. 1841-1843.

Inscribed on fly-leaf: ‘Views in Abyssinia. Painted by Mr Bernatz during Major Harris's mission to Shoa, illustrating the scenery of the localities in which the Colobus Guereza (Ruppel), the Cynocephalus Gelada (Ruppel) and other specimens of Natural History contained in this Museum, were collected. Recd in the Museum 16th Augt 1843 vide Minutes of Committee Finance and Home of this date. Recd May 1843.’

Some drawings signed and inscribed on back in ink.

Oil on paper; size of volume, 20 by 14 ins; drawings of varying sizes.

Deposited May 1843 as background material for the natural history specimens sent to the Company's Museum. See ‘Court Minutes,’ 16 August 1843. 'A letter from Capt. Harris of the Bombay Engineers dated this day was read requesting instructions as to the disposal of a Map and Paintings, also of 13 cases containing Specimens of Natural History etc. collected during his Embassy to the Court of Shoa in Southern Abyssinia. Ordered that Dr. Horsfield take charge of the same.'

Note: The embassy is described by W.C. Harris, ‘The Highlands of Aethiopia,’ 3 Vols (London, 1844).

1 Tajura. Landscape with small town beside a bay. 1841.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘Taljura 1841 Bernatz.’ (H: 28.5 cm W: 39.5 cm)

2 Tajura. Landscape with bay and mountain of Jebel Goodah. 1841.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘Taljura 1841. M. Bernatz’; on back in ink: ‘Jebel-quda near Tajuri.’ (H: 28.7 cm W: 39.5 cm)

3 Mountain landscape with village.

Inscribed on front in ink:’ M.B.’ (H: 28.8 cm W: 40 cm)

4 Sagallo; landscape with bay, an arid shore in the foreground.

Inscribed on back in ink: ‘Sikaloo.’ (H: 26.2 cm W: 36.7 cm)

5 A procession of priests in rich robes, carrying umbrella and censers, led by a boy bearing a long pennant, at the Church of St. Michael, Ankobar. Mountainous landscape in background. 1842.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B. 1842’; on back in ink: ‘Church of St Michael Ankobar.’

Original drawing for Harris, plate 23. (H:28.6 cm W: 39.5 cm)

6 A dead elephant; huntsmen with shields and lances dancing on the carcase.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘W.C.H. M.B.’ (The joint signature would suggest that Bernatz made the painting from a sketch by Harris.) (H: 23 cm W: 29 cm)

7 The British Mission, accompannied by Abyssinians, entering Ankobar. 1841.

Inscribed on back in ink: ‘Ankobar.’ (H: 28.5 cm W: 39.9 cm)

8 A bay with shipping in the distance and tents on the shore-perhaps Tajura. In the foreground a camel, and women bathing, 1841.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B. 1841.’ (H: 28.8 cm W: 39.9 cm)

9 The Salt Lake, Bahr Assal, a camel caravan winding across the sandy foreground. 1841.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B. 1841’; on back in ink: ‘Salt Lake.’ (H: 28.6 cm W:39.8 cm)

10 Valley of the Chaka. Mountainous landscape with pack-animals in foreground. 1841.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B.’ (H: 28.5 cm W: 39.4 cm)

11 Forest scene with pool in foreground, near Ankobar.

Inscribed on back in ink: ‘Forest, near Ankobar.’ (H:34.5 cm W: 29.2 cm)

12 Afforbina, near Ankobar. Mountainous landscape. 1842.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B. 1842’; on back in ink: ‘Afforbina near Ankobar.’ (H: 28.9 cm W: 39.8 cm)

13 Another view of the Salt Lake, Bahr Assal, camel and pony with riders in foreground.

Inscribed on back in ink: ‘Salt Lake.’ (H: 29 cm W: 40 cm)

14 Hilly landscape; S. view of Ankobar.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B’; on back in ink: ‘Ankobar from the South.’ (H: 28.8 cm W: 40 cm)

15 The British Residency at Ankobar. Hilly landscape with thatched huts in foreground flying a Union jack. An Englishman in a red cloak riding into the village. 1842.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B. 1842’; on back in ink: ‘Town of'Ankobar.’

Original drawing, with some modifications, for Harris, plate 15. (H: 29 cm W: 40.4 cm)

16 Barren landscape with vultures and adjutant bird beside a carcase. (H:28.9 cm W: 40.1 cm)

17 The celebration of Easter in the palace at Ankobar. 1842.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M. Bernatz 1842’; on back in pencil: ‘Easter Feast in the Palace at Anko'bar. 76.’ (H: 28.9 cm W: 40.1 cm)

18 Hilly landscape at Ankobar.

Inscribed on front in ink: ‘M.B. 1842’; on back in ink: ‘Ankobar.’ (H: 29.1cm W: 40.2cm)

19 Hilly landscape with cascade in foreground, near Ankobar.

Inscribed on back in ink: ‘near Ankobar.’ (H: 30.5cm W: 23.3cm)