Eyewitness Collection

Great sea serpent seen off the coast of Greenland in 1734. Scoliophis atlanticus. From a description by Hans Egede
FLO4989187 Great sea serpent seen off the coast of Greenland in 1734. Scoliophis atlanticus. From a description by Hans Egede. Steel engraving by W.H

Great sea serpent seen off the coast of Greenland in 1734, Scoliophis atlanticus. From a description by Hans Egede. Steel engraving by W.H

Baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist, 1305. Artist: Simeon Artchichetski
Baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist, 1305. After an Armenian Evangelistary, a book containing parts of the Christian Gospels which was used during the liturgy

The Baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist, c1334. Artist: Vardan Lorets i
The Baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist, c1334. St John and Jesus, with his hand lifted in blessing with three fingers raised

The newspaper correspondent, 1876 (etching)
497614 The newspaper correspondent, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

The pontoon bridges, 1876 (etching)
497610 The pontoon bridges, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

A distant battle, 1876 (etching)
497601 A distant battle, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club)

Commissarys Quarters in Winter Camp, 1876 (etching)
497607 Commissarys Quarters in Winter Camp, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

A hot day, 1876 (etching)
497602 A hot day, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club)

On picket at the river bank, 1876 (etching)
497598 On picket at the river bank, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

The reveille on the line of battle, 1876 (etching)
497595 The reveille on the line of battle, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

The leader of the herd, 1876 (etching)
497612 The leader of the herd, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

A thirsty crowd at the old spring house, 1876 (etching)
497611 A thirsty crowd at the old spring house, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

Bummers, 1876 (etching)
497608 Bummers, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club)

The outer picket line, winter, 1876 (etching)
497605 The outer picket line, winter, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

Newspapers in camp, 1876 (etching)
497603 Newspapers in camp, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

Stuck in the mud, 1876 (etching)
497597 Stuck in the mud, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club)

An Army Forge, 1876 (etching)
497594 An Army Forge, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club)

A Christmas dinner, 1876 (etching)
497613 A Christmas dinner, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

A wagoners shanty, 1876 (etching)
497609 A wagoners shanty, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club)

Traffic between the lines, 1876 (etching)
497606 Traffic between the lines, 1876 (etching) by Forbes, Edwin Austin (1839-95); 47.9x60.5 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York, USA; (add.info.: Created by Forbes)

Great Snakes! (engraving)
1062480 Great Snakes! (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Great Snakes! Illustration for The Graphic)

Baptism of Jesus and the Raising of Lazarus, 1336. Artist: Sargis Pidsak
Baptism of Jesus and the Raising of Lazarus, 1336. In the top of the image Jesus is being baptised by his cousin St John the Baptist

The Adoration of the Trinity (The Landauer Altarpiece), 1511. Artist: Albrecht Durer
The Adoration of the Trinity (The Landauer Altarpiece), 1511. This picture shows the Holy Trinity in glory, worshipped by all the saints

Crucifixion, early 16th century. Artist: Gerard David
Crucifixion, early 16th century. From the Metropolitan Museum, New York

The Assumption of the Virgin, c1475-1476. Artist: Francesco Botticini
The Assumption of the Virgin, c1475-1476. In the foreground the Apostles group around the Virgins tomb full of Madonna lilies

The Raising of Lazarus, mid 15th century. Artist: Albert van Ouwater
The Raising of Lazarus, mid 15th century. Jesus raised Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary (left) from the tomb after four days. The scene is set inside a church

Doubting Thomas, 1634. Artist: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
Doubting Thomas, 1634. Picture illustrating episode related in the in St Johns Gospel (Ch20, vs19-29) where the Apostle Thomas puts his hand in the wound in the risen Saviours side as he doubts what

Doubting Thomas, c1268. Artist: T oros Roslin
Doubting Thomas, c1268. The Disciple, Thomas, putting his hand into the lance wound in the side of the risen Jesus to make sure that the Saviour was real

The Raising of Lazarus, c1268. Artist: T oros Roslin
The Raising of Lazarus, c1268. Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus, kneel at Jesus feet as Lazarus is led from tomb in his shroud

Jesus raising Lazarus after four days, c1280
Jesus raising Lazarus after four days c1280. Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus, kneel at Jesus feet. From an Armenian Evangelistary

Jesus performing miracles, 1394. Artist: Rotakes
Jesus performing miracles, 1394. Jesus curing the man possessed of a devil (top) and raising Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, after four days (bottom)

Eye Exam

George Biggin, Letitia Sage and Vincenzo Lunardi
Lithograph of George Biggin, Letitia Sage and Vincenzo Lunardi ascending from St Georges Fields, London, 29 June 1785 (Cuthbert-Hodgson Collection)

Galloping to Mons
British Field Artillery of the British Expeditionary Force gallop along the road to Mons to engage the German advance into Belgium for the first time

The Collision between the German Ironclads in the Channel: the Last of the Grosser Kurfurst-Sketched by an Eye-Witness at Folkestone, Uk

The Collision Between The German Ironclads In The Channel: The Last Of The Grosser Kurfurst-sketched By An Eye-witness At Folkestone, UK

Robinson Downs Zeppelin
Zeppelin L21 falls from the sky after being attacked by Lieutenant Robinson; this image was based on an account by an eyewitness 20 miles away

The Lion of the Season
An alarmed flunkey introduces Mr Gorilla as The lion of the season, a comment on explorer Paul du Chaillus book on equatorial Africa with its eyewitness account of gorillas

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Capturing History: The Power of the Eyewitness" In Lawrence Beesley's gripping account, "The Wreck of the Titanic, " he becomes an eyewitness to one of history's most tragic events. His words transport us back to that fateful night, where we can almost feel the icy waters and hear the cries for help. But it is not only through words that we witness history. Etchings from 1876 take us on a visual journey, revealing scenes like "The 'Reliable Contraband'" and "Gone off with the Yanks. " These intricate illustrations provide a glimpse into life during those tumultuous times. Amongst these etchings, we find ourselves immersed in various settings - from battlefields to winter camps. In "Commissary's Quarters in Winter Camp, " we see soldiers enduring harsh conditions while trying to maintain their spirits. And in "A hot day, " sweat-drenched faces remind us of the challenges faced by those who fought for their beliefs. Yet, being an eyewitness does not always mean witnessing human struggles alone. As depicted in an astonishing etching from 1734 titled "Great sea serpent seen off the coast of Greenland, " our eyes widen at this mythical creature emerging from dark depths. Such sightings ignite curiosity and spark debates about what lies beyond our known world. Whether it be historical disasters or fantastical creatures, eyewitness accounts hold immense value as they allow us to connect intimately with past events. They bridge gaps between generations and enable us to empathize with experiences far removed from our own. So let us cherish these glimpses into history - whether through written narratives like Beesley's or captivating etchings such as those depicting battles and daily life during war times. Through them, we become witnesses too; transported across time and space, forever connected by shared stories of triumphs and tragedies alike.