'Missionary travels and researches in South Africa' (1857).
David Livingstone (1813-1873) fully earned his place in history by becoming the first European to travel across southern Africa from coast to coast.
His exploits made him a hero in Britain and his common humanity, which inspired his crusade against slavery, has ensured his legacy lives on.
The extent of his popular appeal owed much to the images Livingstone brought back from Africa. They helped Victorian Britain to understand that mysterious and often misunderstood continent in a way that words alone could never have achieved.
Images reproduced many times
Highly skilled engravers worked in wood to reproduce the artist's pictures so that they could be printed many times. By the mid- and late 19th century, the skills and processes involved allowed many thousands of detailed and clear prints to be produced cheaply.
The engraving shown here was based on a painting by Henry Phillips which was owned by John Murray III, Livingstone's publisher.
Relationship with African people
Fascinated by their culture, Livingstone was keen to show African communities involved in their age-old customs.
Learning the various African languages was essential to Livingstone’s preaching, travelling and acceptance by African people. He even prepared an 'Analysis of the Bechuana language' (1858) to be privately printed for African expedition parties.
The mutual respect between Livingstone and many Africans led to a strong, if at times unequal, relationship. Near the end of his life, while suffering from poor health, the Scot became increasingly reliant on his African companions.
Before Livingstone's explorations little was known for sure about the interior of sub-Saharan Africa. It was during his lifetime, and to a large extent due to his efforts, that the blank map of Africa began to be filled in.
Though Livingstone only received brief instruction in the use of a whole range of navigation and mapping equipment, he became quite proficient. At times he was able to produce remarkably accurate maps.
Written accounts in diaries
Livingstone filled his field diaries with written accounts, scientific measurements and sketches of all he observed.
The sheets of his last journals were revered as relics of a national hero and martyr. Images of his diary were used in his 'Last journals', published in 1874, as well as in newspapers and biographies.
The 'Picturing Africa' exhibition at the National Library of Scotland ran from 14 June to 3 November 2013.
'Safiri za kimisionari na utafiti katika Afrika Kusini' (1857). David Livingstone (1813-1873) alikuwa mtu wa kwanza kutoka Ulaya kusafiri Afrika kusini. Ujasiri wake ulimfanya kuwa shujaa nchini Uingereza na ubinadamu wake wa kawaida, ambao ulimchochea katika vita vyake dhidi ya utumwa, umehakikisha urithi wake unaendelea kuishi. Upendezi wake mkubwa kwa watu ulitokana sana na picha ambazo Livingstone alileta kutoka Afrika. "Waliwasaidia Waingereza wa enzi ya Victoria kuelewa bara hilo lenye siri na ambalo mara nyingi lilitumiwa vibaya kwa njia ambayo maneno peke yake hayangeweza kamwe kutimiza.""" Picha zilizochorwa mara nyingi Wachongaji wenye ustadi wa hali ya juu walifanya kazi kwenye mbao ili kuchora picha za msanii ili ziweze kuchapishwa mara nyingi. Kufikia katikati na mwishoni mwa karne ya 19, ujuzi na michakato iliyohusika iliruhusu maelfu ya uchapishaji wa kina na wazi kutengenezwa kwa bei nafuu. Mchoro huo ulionyeshwa hapa ulitegemea mchoro wa Henry Phillips ambao ulikuwa mali ya John Murray III, mchapishaji wa Livingstone. Alipokuwa akivutiwa na utamaduni wao, Livingstone alitaka kuonyesha jamii za Waafrika zilizojihusisha na desturi zao za kale. Kujifunza lugha mbalimbali za Kiafrika kulikuwa muhimu kwa kuhubiri kwa Livingstone, kusafiri na kukubaliwa na watu wa Afrika. Hata alitoa kitabu 'Analysis of the Bechuana language' (1858) ambacho kilichapishwa kwa ajili ya vikundi vya wasafiri wa Afrika. Heshima ya pamoja kati ya Livingstone na Waafrika wengi ilisababisha uhusiano wenye nguvu, ingawa nyakati nyingine haukuwa sawa. Alipokuwa karibu na mwisho wa maisha yake, huku akiwa na afya mbaya, Mskoti huyo alianza kutegemea zaidi na zaidi wenzake Waafrika. Kabla ya Livingstone kufanya uvumbuzi huo, watu hawakujua mengi kuhusu eneo la ndani la Afrika kusini mwa Jangwa la Sahara. Ni wakati wa maisha yake, na kwa kiasi kikubwa kutokana na juhudi zake, kwamba ramani tupu ya Afrika ilianza kujazwa. Ingawa Livingstone alipata maagizo mafupi tu kuhusu jinsi ya kutumia vifaa mbalimbali vya kusafiri na kuchora ramani, akawa stadi sana. Nyakati nyingine aliweza kutokeza ramani sahihi sana. Livingstone aliandika katika kitabu chake cha kumbukumbu, alichunguza mambo mengi ya kisayansi na kuchora picha za mambo aliyoona. Karatasi za majarida yake ya mwisho ziliheshimiwa kama mabaki ya shujaa wa kitaifa na shujaa. Picha za kitabu chake cha kumbukumbu zilitumiwa katika 'Last Journals' yake, iliyochapishwa mwaka 1874, na pia katika magazeti na wasifu. Maonyesho ya 'Picturing Africa' katika Maktaba ya Taifa ya Scotland yalifanyika kuanzia Juni 14 hadi Novemba 3, 2013.