Baines, Thomas (1822-1875), was a British-born artist and African explorer. Baines lived and worked for most of his life in South Africa. He produced more than 400 oil paintings, water colors, and sketches providing a historical record of South Africa in the 1800’s.
John Thomas Baines was born at King’s Lynn in Norfolk, England. In 1842, he settled in Cape Town, where he worked as a marine artist and portrait painter. During the Border War (1851-1853), he served as official war artist. Baines loved nature and had a scientific approach to the subject. In 1855, he joined an expedition to northern Australia. In 1858, Baines was part of an expedition up the Zambezi River, led by the British explorer David Livingstone. In 1861, Baines spent 12 days in the Victoria Falls region. His 11 views of the Victoria Falls, published in 1865, are among his best works. Baines died on May 8, 1875.
