Cracroft (Peter)
Appearance of the Great Wall of China looking North West from the top of the tower

signed, titled and dated 'P.B June 13 1830' (lower edge)
pen and ink

Original drawing from June 13th 1850 by Peter Cracroft RN (1816-1865), captain of HMS Reynard from 1848 to 1851, depicting a section of the Great Wall of China, Shanhaiguan.

It is thought that this is both the earliest and the only known surviving western visual depiction of this section of the Great Wall before it was destroyed in the early 20th century.

The original drawing was interpreted by Samuel Read, engraved by Frederick James Smyth and published alongside an article entitled “Visit to the Great Wall of China" and three other illustrations in the Illustrated London News on 5th October 1850.

Full and detailed notes, written a by Cracroft, of his visit to the Great Wall were published as Cracroft’s “Notes on a Voyage to China in Her Majesty's Late Screw Steamer Reynard," in the Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle 1853.

(Quantity:1)

Dimensions: 11 x 25.5 cm. (4 3/8 x 10 in.)