Thomas Baines

Thomas Baines was an explorer-artist who painted the landscapes, wildlife and people of southern Africa and northern Australia. His pictures are detailed, colourful records of what he saw on expeditions, from herds of buffalo to the Victoria Falls.

Born in King’s Lynn in Norfolk, he apprenticed as a coach painter before sailing to Cape Town, where he worked as a scene and portrait painter and as a war artist. He was official artist on the Royal Geographical Society’s North Australian Expedition, then joined David Livingstone’s Zambezi expedition and saw the Victoria Falls. He later travelled through South West Africa and prospected for gold in Mashonaland, and died in Durban.

His work is held in the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Zimbabwe and the Royal Geographical Society. Look for his close observation of animals and his record of travel.