Titanic Expedition
Titanic, as everyone knows, sank when it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage in 1912. It was not seen again until the mid-80’s when technological advances led to the development of submersibles capable of diving to the depth of 12,500 feet.
In 2000, artist Roger Bansemer received an unexpected invitation to dive two and a half miles down into the Atlantic to the site of one of the most famous shipwrecks in history. Armed with his artist’s eye and insight, he embarked on an expedition on a Russian research ship to the remains of the Titanic.
Bansemer became the 112th person to dive to the Titanic, the sixth person under the stern, and the first artist to have painted Titanic on site.
Bansemer chronicled his adventure in his book, Journey to Titanic. The foreword was written by filmmaker and director of the movie Titanic, James Cameron who wrote:
It was the tradition, in the days before photography was invented, for the great expeditions of the Age of Exploration to take with them an artist to chronicle their journey and the things they found. Roger’s images and words will allow the readers to feel as if they have been on the voyage themselves, and made the ultimate deep dive to the grave of the great liner herself.
The Incredible Shrinking Cup
With each painting and print I’ve included an “Incredible Shrinking Cup.”
For a remembrance of the expedition, during each dive we were all free to take as many eight-ounce Styrofoam cups from the dining area of the ship as we liked and write whatever we chose on them with felt pens. I drew a quick sketch of the Titanic along with my signature. The cups were picked up, placed inside a yellow mesh bag, and put in an unpressurized area of the submersible to be taken to the Titanic wreck site during the next dive. When returned to the surface, they were about the size of a thimble and very hard. The 5,426 pounds of pressure per square inch created these unusual souvenirs.
Titanic Paintings
Included with each painting is an “Incredible Shrinking Cup” and an explanation.
$2800
$1800
$10,500
To order please call (904) 347-0561
Original Paintings from the Dive
In 2005, I again had the opportunity to go on a second expedition and this time I was prepared. I took with me a number of limited edition prints and original paintings to help absorb and appreciate the experience as I was so moved by the first time I dived. The pilot and copilot of the Mir submersible allowed me to take my artwork, two dive stamps, and a few paints with me so that I could add finishing touches while we were inside the submersible hovering over the bow of the Titanic.
I will always remember the moments I spent on the ocean floor visiting the place from which so many souls had gone on and seeing what they left behind to remember them by.
Included with each original painting is a Certificate of Authenticity, an “Incredible Shrinking Cup,” and an explanation.
To order please call (904) 347-0561
Titanic Prints
These Titanic prints went with me down in the Mir submersible to the Titanic wreck site on my second dive in 2005. Included with each print is an “Incredible Shrinking Cup” and an explanation. Print numbers and cups will vary.
