Rio de Janeiro, Panorama of a Whaling Voyage: (Roll 2, Section 2)
The Panorama Passes Through Rio de Janeiro, Bustling with Ships in This Popular Port
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 20/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
In this section of the "Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World", the longest painting in North America, created by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce Purrington in 1848, you'll experience a portrayal of a whaling voyage that spans the globe.
Here, you will enter through the harbor of Guanabara Bay into the stunning Rio de Janeiro, where a multitude of ships come and go. Take in the beautiful landscapes and remarkable architecture that define this scenic location.
Voyage MapNew Bedford Whaling Museum
"Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World"
This highlighted section of the voyage is depicted here on this line. Scroll through this story to continue the voyage.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 20/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 20 of 44
Rio de Janeiro
Ships are shown approaching the busy entrance to Guanabara Bay, the harbor at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Shipping in the outer harbor at Rio de Janeiro including the whale ship George and Martha of New Bedford anchored in front of Fort Santa Cruz.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 21/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 21 of 44
Shipping is shown busily plying the waters of the harbor of Rio de Janeiro.
An American naval ship-of-the-line (left) lies at anchor in the harbor at Rio de Janeiro. Both the Americans and British kept a naval presence at Rio de Janeiro mostly for the suppression of the slave trade.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 22/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 22 of 44
A British naval frigate and other shipping including the official ferry boats employed to carry shipboard officers to the Custom House to register their cargos or on other official business.
Small craft in the harbor at Rio de Janeiro including small ferries carrying people from ship to shore and vice versa.
Note also the two American ships tied up side by side. These probably represent the bark Yeoman of Plymouth and the bark Sarah & Esther of Greenport.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 23/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 23 of 44
The distinctive architecture of the place including the cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Glória (fourth facade from the left) as well as the lateen-rigged small craft reflects the Portuguese influence on the old seaport where they first settled around 1500.
The presence of what appear to be enslaved persons onshore hints at how pervasive the slave trade was in the Portuguese controlled state. If these are not enslaved persons, they are at least laborers, possibly sugar-bearers carrying the heavy bags on their heads.
View of the waterfront at Rio de Janeiro with the Benedictine Monastery, Igreja Nossa Senhora de Montserrat e Mosteiro de São Bento, on the hill in the background.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 24/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 24 of 44
In this view a lighter is shown carrying baggage, and a ferry manned by native Brazilians, is carrying two women, a White woman and a Black woman, out to a brig anchored in the harbor.
End of Roll Two
Preparing to leave Rio de Janeiro, we pass the fortified island of Legea, and the harbor’s most prominent feature, Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), rises 1300 feet behind another of Isaac Howland, Jr.’s whale ships lying at anchor.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.