Within Australia
All orders ship freewithin Australia
Rest of the World
Orders over A$300
ship free worldwide
C1820
A Sailing Canoe of Otahaite.
Artist:
Rare aquatint by John Webber the official artist on Cook’s third and final voyage. Early issue on Whatman watermarked paper dated 1819. This aquatint is based on the engraving, A view of the island of Otaheite, with several vessels of … Read Full Description
$A 2,250
S/N: VTSS-003-PI-SOC–223486
(F29)
Free Shipping
See Shipping page for Terms & Conditions
Details
Full Title:
A Sailing Canoe of Otahaite.
Date:
C1820
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Original aquatint, with original hand colouring
Image Size:
445mm
x 330mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1820
Description:
Rare aquatint by John Webber the official artist on Cook’s third and final voyage. Early issue on Whatman watermarked paper dated 1819.
This aquatint is based on the engraving, A view of the island of Otaheite, with several vessels of that island, issued in Hawkesworth’s, Account of the voyages undertaken by the order of His present Majesty for making discoveries in the southern hemisphere plate number 4, volume 2. The engraving Hawkesworth has a number of canoes whereas in this aquatint Webber has selected only one of the smaller canoes and featured it.
From Views in the South Seas, which is considered to be the most beautiful series that resulted from Cooks three voyages.
John Webber (1752 - 1793)
John Webber was an 18th century artist, best known for his work as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third and final voyage to the Pacific in 1776-1780. He was born in London, England in 1751 and was trained as an artist. Webber accompanied Cook on his voyage as the official artist, tasked with creating drawings and paintings of the places and people they encountered. He produced many illustrations and sketches that were used to make engravings for inclusion in the official account of the voyage, published after Cook's death. Webber was required to "give a more perfect idea thereof than can be formed by written description." Webber's illustrations and engravings of the Pacific islands and their inhabitants are considered some of the most accurate and detailed depictions of the region from that time. They provide an important record of the places and people encountered by Cook and his crew, and are valuable for understanding the culture and daily life of the people of the Pacific during the 18th century. He died in London in 1793, after having returned from the voyage, but his work continues to be recognised as an important historical record of the voyage and of the art of his time. Webber's oeuvre from the voyage was the most comprehensive record of sights in the Pacific region ever produced.
