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John Thomas Baines Collection

John Thomas Baines (1820-1875) was a renowned artist and explorer who captured the beauty and diversity of African wildlife through his remarkable artwork

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Dead mountain zebra, artwork C016 / 5584

Dead mountain zebra, artwork C016 / 5584
Dead mountain zebra (Equus zebra) mare, artwork. Sketch from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1820-1875), English artist

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Common warthog, artwork C016 / 5582

Common warthog, artwork C016 / 5582
Common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). Sketch 127 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1820-1875), English artist

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: The Installation of No Bengulu, artwork C016 / 5578

The Installation of No Bengulu, artwork C016 / 5578
The Installation of No Bengulu. Artwork depicting the installation of No Bengulu into the supreme chieftainship of Matabili land, February 1870

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Hunters skinning a rhinoceros, artwork C016 / 5579

Hunters skinning a rhinoceros, artwork C016 / 5579
Hunters skinning a dead black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), artwork. The description below the drawing reads Black Rhinoceros (Changani)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Dead black rhinoceros, artwork C016 / 5581

Dead black rhinoceros, artwork C016 / 5581
Dead black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Sketch 114 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1820-1875), English artist

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Black rhinoceros, artwork C016 / 5580

Black rhinoceros, artwork C016 / 5580
Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Sketch 113 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1820-1875), English artist

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Bringing home the Spoils

Bringing home the Spoils
The Mr Hartleys Matabile bringing tusks to Camp. August 1869 Sketch 68 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Thomas Baines (1820-1875) see 51895

Thomas Baines (1820-1875) see 51895
Portrait of Thomas Baines, a British naturalist, explorer, war artist and travel writer. Baines documented numerous sketches of African wildlife, landscapes

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Lo Bengulu King of the Matabeliland

Lo Bengulu King of the Matabeliland
Receiving his army on their return from a successful raid among the Mashonas Nov. 1870. Sketch 60 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1820-1875)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Warriors dancing, 1870

Warriors dancing, 1870
Sketch 64 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871). The caption on the original illustration is unclear

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Crossing the Umnyati-Matabili

Crossing the Umnyati-Matabili
Returning from a marauding expedition among the Mashona October 1869. Sketch 28 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Drakensberg near Van Reenens pass

Drakensberg near Van Reenens pass
Tuesday March 30th 1869. The Karweyers camp. Sketch 3 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: The Ostrich nest, East of Bembesi River

The Ostrich nest, East of Bembesi River
October 1870. Sketch 55 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Ascent of the Drakensberg March 31, 1869

Ascent of the Drakensberg March 31, 1869
6.30am-sunrise light from right, green hills, warm lights, deep shadows and rolling mist. Sketch 4 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Mashonas hunting

Mashonas hunting
Hunting game with stake nets at Magoondas hills. September 1870. Sketch 49 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Amakoondas Mashona village

Amakoondas Mashona village
September 1869. Sketch 20 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Cutting a road through the bush

Cutting a road through the bush
Between the Magoondas hills, September 1870. Sketch 50 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Material for a future Warrior

Material for a future Warrior
Young Solomon. Sketch 84 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Lo Bengulu King of Matabeleland

Lo Bengulu King of Matabeleland
In the process of reviewing his army. 1870. Sketch 61 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Matabele relaxing in front of their homes, c. 1869

Matabele relaxing in front of their homes, c. 1869
Sketch 76 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Western headland of Magaliesberg

Western headland of Magaliesberg

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: At Makoondas village

At Makoondas village
Mashona councils, Chief exhorting them to bring corn for sale to Wagons September 1869. Sketch 21 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Matabili girls, Um Gnoma River Nov. 1869

Matabili girls, Um Gnoma River Nov. 1869

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Umtigaan at the head of his regiment

Umtigaan at the head of his regiment

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Sawing up - the first log

Sawing up - the first log, Lees farm Mangwe River. February 1879. Sketch 35 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Dressing the Issiyoko

Dressing the Issiyoko
The Issiyoko is the Warriors headring, at Slambo Boloi, November 1869 Sketch 69 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Ladies of the Royal Family

Ladies of the Royal Family
At Lo Bengulus temporary residence on the Inzingwhaine or Umzingzhone River, April 1870. Sketch 82 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Matabili, Imbusini River November 1869

Matabili, Imbusini River November 1869
Sketch 71 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Christmas Festivities at Tati River, 1869

Christmas Festivities at Tati River, 1869
Sketch 34 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Warriors dancing

Warriors dancing
Sketch 63 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Kapaes, The Court Jester & flatterer a

Kapaes, The Court Jester & flatterer a
In ordinary to the King No Bengulu. April 1870. Sketch 81 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: The South Africa Gold Fields Exploration Co. House

The South Africa Gold Fields Exploration Co. House
Located at Hartley Hill Simbo Rivulet Um Vuli River, September1870. Sketch 46 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Phacochoerus africanus, common warthog

Phacochoerus africanus, common warthog
Young wart hogs (matabili golube)a shot by myself south west of the Bembesi River October 1870. Sketch 128 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Matabili at Nobengulus Village Nov. 1869

Matabili at Nobengulus Village Nov. 1869
Sketch 75 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Equus zebra, mountain zebra

Equus zebra, mountain zebra
Mountain Zebra Mare. First wounded by John Lainga killed by myself. September 1862. Sketch from Rothschild bequest 3. Part of a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Climbing out from the Drakensberg

Climbing out from the Drakensberg
The last hard pull, the two spans on one wagon, April 1869. Sketch 5 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Sacred stone worshipped by the Mashonas

Sacred stone worshipped by the Mashonas
Located about two miles East of Ganyana River, September 1870. Sketch 51 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Old Mashona Diggins at Zhelingome

Old Mashona Diggins at Zhelingome
October 1870. Sketch 54 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Willie Hartleys grave

Willie Hartleys grave
Located 12 miles SE of Hartley Hill August 1870. Sketch 45 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: The Installation of No Bengulu

The Installation of No Bengulu
Into the supreme chieftainship of Matabili land, February 1870. Sketch 36 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Umtigesi maintaining order

Umtigesi maintaining order
At the Umtigesis village on the Kootooroo River, branch of the Um Saabie June 1870. Sketch 40 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Wagons of the South African Gold Fields

Wagons of the South African Gold Fields
Exploration Companys leaving Potchefstroom, Transvaal Republic [1869] Sketch 9 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Pilansberg from Brak legte sandflat

Pilansberg from Brak legte sandflat north of Brak spruit May 1869 Sketch 13 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Intoosa Monate (a present Mynheer)

Intoosa Monate (a present Mynheer)
c. 1869-72. Sketch 70 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Ceratotherium simum, white rhinoceros

Ceratotherium simum, white rhinoceros
White rhinoceros. Sketch 121 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Setting out to visit village of Makoonda

Setting out to visit village of Makoonda

Background imageJohn Thomas Baines Collection: Mashona at Umtigesis place July 1870

Mashona at Umtigesis place July 1870
Cultivating his hair. Sketch 83 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)



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John Thomas Baines (1820-1875) was a renowned artist and explorer who captured the beauty and diversity of African wildlife through his remarkable artwork. His paintings, such as "Dead mountain zebra" (artwork C016 / 5584) and "Common warthog" (artwork C016 / 5582), showcased his keen eye for detail and mastery of capturing the essence of these magnificent creatures. One of Baines' most notable works is "The Installation of No Bengulu" (artwork C016 / 5578), which depicts the ceremonial crowning of Lo Bengulu, King of Matabeliland. This painting not only showcases Baines' artistic talent but also provides a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions and rituals practiced by indigenous African communities. In another captivating piece titled "Hunters skinning a rhinoceros" (artwork C016 / 5579), Baines portrays the harsh reality faced by both humans and animals in their struggle for survival. The image serves as a reminder that life in the wild can be unforgiving, yet it also highlights humanity's deep connection with nature. Baines' fascination with rhinoceroses is evident in several artworks, including "Dead black rhinoceros" (artwork C016 / 5581) and "Black rhinoceros" (artwork C016 / 5580). Through these paintings, he aimed to raise awareness about the plight facing these majestic creatures due to poaching and habitat loss. His work often depicted scenes from expeditions or encounters with local tribespeople. One such painting called "Bringing home the Spoils, " captures hunters returning triumphantly after a successful hunt. It showcases not only their skills as providers but also their respect for nature's resources. Baines' legacy extends beyond his artistry; he was an intrepid explorer who documented his journeys across Africa.