United States Exploring Expedition (1838-1842) Search this
Extent:
5 Drawings
2 Engravings
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Drawings
Engravings
Portraits
Works of art
Place:
Oceania
South America
Date:
1838-1842
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of five (5) watercolor drawings and two (2) engravings made by Alfred T. Agate for the United States Exploring Expedition. It includes portraits of King Kamehameha III of Hawaii, Kotowatowa (a Maori chief), and unnamed individuals from Brazil, Peru, Fiji, as well as illustrations of Maori ornamental carvings.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
Biographical Note:
Alfred Thomas Agate was an artist, painter, and miniaturist, known for his landscapes, portraits and scientific illustrations. Agate was born February 14, 1812 in Sparta, N.Y. In 1838, he joined the Scientific Corps of the United States Exploring Expedition as a portraitist and botanical artist. He spent four years traveling around the world, mapping the coast of Oregon, documenting hundreds of islands in the Pacific, and collecting more than sixty thousand plant and bird specimens. In 1842, Agate settled in Washington, D.C., and prepared his drawings for the expedition's multi-volume report. He died January 5, 1846.
Variant Title:
Natives of Oceania, and ornamental architecture, signed "A. T. Agate, del., A. T. A., del.
Local Numbers:
USNM Accession 16909
Related Materials:
The National Anthropological Archives holds additional Agate drawings from the United States Exploring Expedition in The Division of Ethnology photograph collection (Photo Lot 97).
The Naval History and Heritage Command Archives holds the Alfred Agate collection.
Provenance:
Gift of Mr. M. C. Hopkins to United States National Museum, May 7, 1942. The collection was transferred from the object collections of the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives in July 1969.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Genre/Form:
Drawings
Portraits
Engravings
Works of art
Citation:
Alfred T. Agate drawings from the United States Exploring Expedition (MS 382524), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Sketches by various 19th and early 20th century artists mainly relating to life on the western frontier.
REEL 3282: Sketches by Alfred T. Agate, Joseph Drayton, W.L. Atkinson, J. Baker, Albert Beirstadt, George Douglas Brewerton, Eldridge Ayer Burbank, Louisa Corbaux, F.O.C. Darley, John Gunter, Edward M. Kern, J. Ross Browne, and J.T. Moore.
REEL 3283: Sketches by Leonard H. Reedy.
Provenance:
Microfilmed 1984 along with other selected art related papers from the Gilcrease Institute.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
One watercolor and colored pencil portrait of the back of an unidentified woman from Lima, Peru sitting on blanket. The title indicates that the woman is in a church, but the church is not shown.
Local Numbers:
NAA INV 08527700
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Alfred T. Agate drawings from the United States Exploring Expedition (MS 382524), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Watercolor and colored pencil drawing made in Rio de Janiero of a man from Beguela, Angola. The drawing depicts the man's head and torso, but the head only was published in Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, vol. 1, page 62.
Local Numbers:
NAA INV 08527900
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Alfred T. Agate drawings from the United States Exploring Expedition (MS 382524), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Engraved portrait of Chief Ko-Towa-Towa with face tattoo and wearing flax robe. The portrait was drawn by Agate and engraved by Vistus Balch. The engraved portrait was published in Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, vol. 2, page 420.
Local Numbers:
NAA INV 08527500
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Alfred T. Agate drawings from the United States Exploring Expedition (MS 382524), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
1 Drawing (watercolor, ink and pencil, 11 x 8 inches)
Type:
Archival materials
Drawings
Date:
1840 March
Scope and Contents:
Two illustrations on a single sheet of paper depicting "architectural ornaments of New Zealand...From the ruins of an old Pā at Tepuna, Bay of Islands." Drawings were published in Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, vol. 2, page 408.
Local Numbers:
NAA INV 08527800
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Alfred T. Agate drawings from the United States Exploring Expedition (MS 382524), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
