Original natural history artwork, primarily watercolours of fish from Australian waters by James Barker Emery.

James Barker Emery entered the Royal Navy in 1808. He had a colourful career that included two circumnavigations of the world surveying on the coast of east Africa - including work on the suppression of slavery - and some months as an unsanctioned 'governor' in Mombasa. (His commander Captain William Owen was acting without authorisation from London).

He joined HMS Beagle in 1837, under Captain Wickham for the survey of the Australian coast. As well as their survey duties, the officers recorded details of the landscape, the Aborigines, and the flora and fauna, all of which added to the accumulated knowledge of Australia. A talented naturalist and artist, Emery collected specimens, some of which he mounted, others he retained for his menagerie at home, and others he recorded in his watercolour portfolio. The Beagle's officers also collected specimens for John Gould and Petrogale concinna in Gould's Mammals of Australia at least is attributed to Emery. In addition, Surgeon Benjamin Bynoe contributed a number of birds. Emery's watercolours of Australian fishes from the north and northwest coast are strikingly beautiful, and many have never been published. A number are featured in Sir John Richardson's Icones piscium, 1843, but this projected series was never completed.

James Barker Emery was promoted "commander on the retired list" in 1856, and died in 1889.

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