The journal of the flagshipGelderland– dodo and other birds on Mauritius 1601

Abstract

The Dutch discovery of Mauritius in 1598 set a precedent for visiting fleets to replenish supplies via trading routes to the East Indies. A fleet, under Admiral Wolfert Harmensz in the flagship Gelderland, anchored off Black River Bay, Mauritius, in 1601. On board were at least two artists who illustrated a journal of the voyage and, contained within the journal, are illustrations of dodos and other extinct Mauritian birds. These drawings constitute the only known illustrations of some of these extinct species, and provide important evidence about their external appearance. My examination of the bird illustrations reveals further hidden pencil sketches beneath the finished inks and provides extra information about morphology. The drawings were considered anonymous but the drawing technique used by shipmate Joris Joostensz Laerle is very similar to the style used in most of the bird drawings and I suggest that he was the principal artist involved: a second, unidentified artist's contribution is minimal.