Lot 216: Eugen Adam (German, 1817-1880)

signed, oil on canvas

55.9 x 68.6 cm. (22 x 27 in.)

Daniel Defoe's most famous novel was published in 1719 with the full title, "The Life and strange and surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe". It is based, in fact, upon the experiences of Alexander Selkirk who had run away to sea in 1704 and requested to be left on an uninhabited island to be rescued five years later. Crusoe ends up on a desert island in the manner of Selkirk. With his dog and only a few supplies from the ship he builds a house, a boat and a new life.

The island on which Selkirk was abandoned was Juan Fernadez Island 500 miles off the Chilean coast and is now known as Robinson Crusoe Island.