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A Chart of Van Diemen's Land, the South Extremity of New Holland, with the New-Discovered River by the Ships Duke and Duchess, is an illustrative representation of late 18th-century maritime exploration. Published in 1798 by Laurie & Whittle, the chart meticulously depicts the southern reaches of what is now known as Tasmania, alongside a large inset showcasing the continuation of a newly discovered river from King George's Bay.

This chart embodies the spirit of maritime exploration and discovery at the close of the 18th century. It was during this period that European explorers ventured further into the Southern Hemisphere, often mapping and naming places hitherto unknown to them. Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania, and New Holland, present-day Australia, were particularly significant regions of exploration and subsequent colonial interest.

The chart includes an inset that offers a detailed depiction of the continuation of a river originating from King George's Bay. This feature not only enriches the geographical detail of the chart but also encapsulates the historical moment of discovery, even showing the location of the ships Duke and Duchess at anchor.

Geographical labeling within the chart signifies the territorial aspirations of the British Empire, renaming the coastlines as New Cumberland and New Yorkshire and illustrating William Pitt's Island. Such naming patterns, common among European explorers, reflected the desire to establish symbolic control over the new lands being mapped.

In summary, the Chart of Van Diemen's Land, the South Extremity of New Holland, with the New-Discovered River by the Ships Duke and Duchess provides an invaluable window into the age of exploration. Beyond its geographical accuracy and detailed depictions, it serves as a record of British maritime discovery and the broader imperial ambitions that drove such explorations at the end of the 18th century.