ELIZABETH ANN BRISCOE (1780-1842)

ELIZABETH ANN BRISCOE (1780-1842)
A lychee
signed, dated and inscribed 'Lee-Chee from Parell/E.A. Briscoe 1811' (bottom right corner)
watercolour with bodycolour
41 x 32 cm. (16 1/8 x 12 5/8 in.)

Original watercolour from Bombay - Government House, Parell

Newly discovered artist Elizabeth Ann Briscoe who lived in Bombay from 1805 – 1813 and subsequently in London and New Brunswick where she died in 1842. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800.

Joseph Banks connection.

Elizabeth Ann Briscoe (nee Lawrance) was the sister of Mary Lawrance (Kearse) - who was the most significant botanical illustrator at the turn of the 19th century.

Elizabeth Ann was the daughter in law of Peter Briscoe – who served Joseph Banks on three expeditions – and who was one of just four survivors of the Joseph Banks party of nine who set off on the Endeavour in 1768.

The Briscoes were well known to Joseph Banks – and supported by him. On their return from Bombay where Elizabeth’s husband had been convicted of corruption Joseph Banks supported Briscoe’s plea to King George for a pardon, successfully lobbied the then Prime Minister Robert Banks Jenkinson – 2nd Earl of Liverpool on their behalf – and provided an annuity to the Briscoes in a codicil to his will in 1820.