Back, George (after)

watercolour and ink on paper (259 x 204mm.), no visible watermark, titled in ink and with description of the subject beneath

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This appears to be based on Captain (later Admiral Sir George) Back's drawing published in his Narrative of the Arctic land expedition (London, 1836), captioned "Esquimaux woman and man of the Thleweechodezeth (Back River) July 28th, 1834". The note beneath this portrait states "The only lady whose portrait was sketched was so flattered at being selected for the distinction, that in her fear lest I should not sufficiently see every grace of her good tempered countenance, she intently watched my eye and according to her notion of the part I was pencilling, portruded [sic] it or turned it so as to leave me no excuse for not dilineating [sic] it in the full proportion of its beauty..." 

George Back, a British naval officer and accomplished artist, first served in the polar regions under John Franklin during the unsuccessful expedition of Captain David Buchanan in 1818. He served again under Franklin on further Arctic explorations, and on his fourth expedition (1833-35), which he commanded, he was tasked with searching for Captain John Ross, but the news of Ross's safe return allowed the party to travel into the Great Slave Lake and discover the Great Fish River, or Back River, and to map as much as possible of the coast. He travelled 7,500 miles, 1,200 of them over unknown territory.