Exploration cruise specialist PONANT has partnered with the British Library to stage a major new exhibition, James Cook: The Voyages, that marks 250 years since Captain Cook’s ship, Endeavour, first set sail from Plymouth.
Portrait of Captain James Cook by John Webber 1776 ©National Portrait Gallery
The exhibition, that runs until 28 August, features stunning artworks, original maps and handwritten journals, from iconic depictions of people and landscapes by expedition artists and local dignitaries.
It coincides with Ponant’s launching of a new class of ships, The Ponant Explorers – small luxury expedition vessels that are specially designed to carry passengers where others do not go.
The new ships will bear the name of famous French mariners and explorers: Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d’Urville, Le Champlain, Le Bellot and Le Surville.
Says Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, co-founder and CEO of Ponant: “We are proud and pleased to support James Cook: The Voyages exhibition at the British Library. As the world’s leader in luxury cruise expeditions for the last 30 years, this partnership is very much aligned with our own philosophy of going where others do not go, emulating the great explorers of history.
“We hope that visitors to the exhibition will be inspired and encouraged to travel the same waters as James Cook and discover these exceptional destinations with their own eyes.”
Stuart Boxall, Head of Corporate Relations at the British Library, adds: “Celebrating exploration and travel, the luxury cruise expedition company, Ponant, is a perfect partner for the exhibition.”