A fine portrait of the Tasmanian Parabéri by Nicolas-Martin Petit, published for the second edition of the official voyage account.

A fine portrait of the Tasmanian Parabéri by Nicolas-Martin Petit, published for the second edition of the official voyage account.

The two ships of the expedition had anchored in d'Entrecasteaux Channel on 13 January 1802 after two months at sea; Frank Horner has called the time that followed 'two of the most productive months the expedition was to enjoy' (The French Reconnaissance, p. 191). Their easy and friendly relations with the aboriginal tribes of the region had brought great satisfaction to the French, and they maintained a good rapport throughout their stay. Petit, in particular, was very busy with his sketch book, and his series of portraits and scenes are among the most sensitive portrayals of Tasmanian aborigines - in fact, together with the handful of portraits in the official account of Cook's third voyage, these portraits are the earliest major study of the Tasmanians.