Australian natural history painter. Born in London in September 1769, he joined the Navy at age 13 in August 1783. He appears to have been self-taught as an artist. Raper joined HMS 'Sirius' as an able seaman in December 1786, sailing as part of the 'First fleet' to Australia in May 1787. At Cape Town, he was promoted to midshipman. The Sirius arrived in Botany Bay in January 1788 then sailed to Sydney, where it remained for seven months. After a trip to Cape Town, it returned to Port Jackson (Sydney) for a stay of nine months. On 5 March 1790, the 'Sirius' left for Norfolk Island, where it was wrecked on 19 March. Raper returned to England via Batavia, arriving at Portsmouth in April 1792. His paintings of birds, other animals and plants are held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, the British Museum (Natural History), the Mitchell Library, Sydney, the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the National Library of Australia.
Raper, George, 1769-1797
Pigeon of Norfolk Island by George Raper
Date: 1790
From: Tourist and Publicity
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: 1/2-033784-F
Description: Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Dickson, Nicola :Birds from a new world. Nicola Dickson. Bega Valley Regional Gallery, ...
Date: 2012
By: Dickson, Nicola, active 2012; Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: ArtEph-2012-D-01
Description: Catalogue of an exhibition of paintings by Nicola Dickson of Australian birds, reinterpreted and based on watercolours by George Raper and others from ca 1788, held in the collections of the National Library of Australia, the Natural History Museum, London, the Mitchell Library, Sydney and the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington Quantity: 1 booklet. Physical Description: 16 pages, spine height 210 mm, stapled, colour illustrations
Raper, George ca 1767-1797 :Arethusa [The emu. 1788-1790].
Date: 1788 - 1790
From: Various artists :[Set of 9 cards issued for Treasures in Trust exhibition]. National Library of New Zealand, 1995.
By: National Library of New Zealand; Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-498-010
Description: Shows long-legged white bird with blue head and longer tail feathers. Position more upright than natural among emus. Blue flower at right foreground. Extended Title - in his "Birds of Australia and the South Seas", 1788-1790. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s) on card.. Physical Description: Colour photolithograph on card, 140 x 105 mm (folded). Provenance: Deposited under Legal Deposit, in 1995.
Raper, George ca 1767-1797 :Arethusa [The emu. 1788-1790].
Date: 1788 - 1790
From: Various artists :[Set of 9 cards issued for Treasures in Trust exhibition]. National Library of New Zealand, 1995.
By: National Library of New Zealand; Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-498-010-a
Description: Shows long-legged white bird with blue head and longer tail feathers. Position more upright than natural among emus. Blue flower at right foreground. Extended Title - in his "Birds of Australia and the South Seas", 1788-1790. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s) on card.. Physical Description: Colour photolithograph on card, 140 x 105 mm (folded). Provenance: Deposited under Legal Deposit, in 1995.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Brolga (Grus rubicunda)]
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-009
Description: Brolga (Grus rubicunda). Specimen depicted standing on a small island with plants, surrounded by water. Identified as brolga by Mr J L Moore, in 1999. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 413 x 253 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [White-faced heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)] 2/3 Less Natura...
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-043
Description: White-faced heron (Egretta novaehollandiae). Specimen depicted standing on a rock ledge above water. Title supplied by Library. Former title - [White-faced heron - Ardea or notophoyx novaehollandiae] Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - "2/3 Less Natural Size" [pencil] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 416 x 250 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Alcedo [Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-064
Description: Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus). Specimen depicted perched on a branch above water. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Former title - Alcedo [Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sanctus)] Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Alcedo" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on paper, 417 x 262 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Bassian thrush (Zoothera lunulata)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-048
Description: Bassian thrush (Zoothera lunulata). Specimen depicted in profile perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library. Former title - [Ground thrush (oreocincla lunulata)] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 416 x 255 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Pigeon of Norfolk Island 1/3 Less Natural Size. Geo. Raper. 1...
Date: 1790
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-001
Description: Norfolk Island pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae spadicea), an extinct subspecies of the New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae). Specimen depicted perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "PIGEON of NORFOLK ISLAND 1/3 Less Natural Size. Geo. Raper. 1790" [ink] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, gold paint, and ink on laid paper, 410 x 253 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Metrosideros - Banks [Crimson bottlebrush (Melaleuca citrina)...
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-046
Description: Eastern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) and Crimson bottlebrush (Melaleuca citrina). Bird specimen depicted in profile perched on a branch with botanical specimen behind. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - "Metrosideros - Banks" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 417 x 258 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Common bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-065
Description: Common bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera). Specimen depicted in profile sitting on the ground. Has been described by different ornithologists as Lord Howe Island pigeon and as the common bronzewing pigeon. Title supplied by Library. Former title - [Lord Howe Island Pigeon or Common (Forest) bronzewing pigeon (Phaps elegans)] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, gold pigment, and ink on laid paper, 419 x 263 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans)]
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-018
Description: Crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans). Specimen depicted in profile perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 417 x 257 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Lord Howe woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-050
Description: Lord Howe woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris). Specimen depicted in profile standing on a mound. Very similar to a Raper drawing in the British Museum (Natural History) 'Ground bird of Lord Howe Island' signed and dated 1790 Title supplied by Library. Former title - [Rail species. Lord Howe Island woodhen (Tricholimnas sylvestris)] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 416 x 258 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Bird of Port Jackson - 1/3 Less than Natural Size. Geo. Raper...
Date: 1788
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-037
Description: Channel-billed cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae). Specimen depicted perched on a branch of a dead tree trunk. Another version of this watercolour is in the British Museum (Natural history), dated 1789. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Bird of Port Jackson - 1/3 Less than Natural Size - Geo. Raper 1788 - No." [ink] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 394 x 275 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Scolopax [Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-053
Description: Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica). Specimen depicted standing on a small island surrounded by water. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Scolopax" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 416 x 249 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Goodenia ramosissima [Red-backed fairywren (Malurus melanocep...
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-020
Description: Red-backed fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus), Purple fan-flower (Scaevola ramosissima), Emperor gum moth (Opodiphthera eucalypti). Male bird specimen depicted perched on branch of small tree with moth flying in front. Bird species identified as Fairy wren by Mr J L Moore, visitor in 1999. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Former title - Goodenia ramosiforma [flower, red-backed wren and Emperor Gum Moth] Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Goodenia ramosissima" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 415 x 257 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Pelecanus [Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-066
Description: Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus). Specimen shown swimming with rocks and small plants in foreground. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Pelecanus" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 289 x 255 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Grey currawong (Strepera versicolor)] 2/4 Less Nat[ura]l Size
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-007
Description: Grey currawong (Strepera versicolor). Specimen depicted in profile perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - "2/4 Less Natl Size" [pencil] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 415 x 252 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Black Swan of New Holland, the size of the European Swan [Bla...
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-003
Description: Two black swans (Cygnus atratus). Depicted on a lake in a landscape. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Black Swan of New Holland, the size of the European Swan" [ink] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 260 x 415 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-044
Description: Willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys). Specimen depicted in profile perched on a flowering legume plant. Title supplied by Library. Former title - [White-breasted wood swallow (Artamus leucorhynchus)] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 417 x 256 mm.