Arthur Wakefield Bassett descends from #123B William Bassett of Plymouth, England as follows:
William Bassett and wife Grace March
William John Bassett (b. 1831) and wife Lucy Burgess
Arthur Wakefield Bassett (1869)
“The Dawn” by Arthur Wakefield Bassett
The Daily News, Perth, Western Australian, Wednesday, 27 Nov 1929
One Man Exhibition
Work of Arthur Bassett
Most Perth lovers of art are familiar with the work of Arthur Bassett, who is giving a one-man exhibition in Musgrove’s Lyric Hall, Murray-street. The show will be open for a fortnight, and although yesterday was the first day several of the pictures already show the little red seal of purchase.
There is a strong historical flavor in the exhibition. The main picture is “The Wreck of the Batavia.” The Batavia became separated from the rest of the convoy, and struck on the Abrolhos, which is just of Geraldton. The weather was fair and there was a moon. The skipper, who was ill in the cabin below, rushed to the bridge and ordered the cannon, etc., to be cast overboard. While dropping the cannon and anchor, a sudden terrific squall arose. The main mast was cut away, but could not be got clear of the Bessel. Finally the skipper (Pelsart) sailed a boat load of men to Batavia, for which the convoy was bound, but on Pelsart’s return he found that the men had mutinied, and that many had been killed. There are relics of this wreck in the Perth Museum. The artist has chosen the moment just after the storm has passed. The moon shows brightly through scuddings clouds, and the vessel is seen, with sails torn in ribbons, in the midst of an angry sea.
Another picture of historic interest is that of the first landing of Dampier. This is called “Dampier comes ashore.” It occurred during Dampier’s pirate days, when he was searching for a secluded spot in which to clean his ship, the Cygnet. He put into King Sound, and chose the identical spot which was later selected by the Western Australian Shipping Company for a similar purpose. They used to take the ships in the Singapore trade to this spot for cleaning and repair. The ship is seen lying on its side, and Dampier, jaunty and apparently care free, is strolling along the beach.
In “The Dawn” and old Dutch navigator, Vlaming, is seen landing. He was the first white man to explore the Swan River, and in view of later developments, the artist has dimly suggested the city skyline in a hazy background. There are several pictures of New Zealand, the sketches for which were made during a long trio taken by Mr. and Mrs. Bassett some years ago.
Local pictures of interest include part of the first fleet of the Claremont Yacht Club, of which for many years Mr. Bassett was a member. The picture shows three boats under shady trees. They are the “Brunnhilde,” the “Ozone,” which belonged to Mr. “Dib” Knight, and later was wrecked at Mandurah, and a boat that later was called the “Kotaka” and belonged to Mr. Cecil Fraser.
A fantasy “When Drake went rolling by” is a ship in full sail amid turbulent waters, reminding Australians of his adventurous voyages.
Two sepia pictures are the originals of those published in the “Western Australian Gift Book,” brought into being during the War for the benefit of soldiers.
“A Grey Day Gleam” and a “Rain Study” are charming little pictures seen from the verandah of the artist’s home in the hills. Visitors to this show will find much to interest them, and those who know the artist only through his work in the delicate pictures for the various Ceremonial Addresses, for which he is always in demand will see another side of his art in this display.
Arthur Wakefield was also featured in a previous newsletter.
http://www.bassettbranches.org/newsletters/2009/06/200906.shtml
“Dampier Comes ashore” by Arthur Wakefield Bassett