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C1784
A Young Woman of the Sandwich Islands.
Artist:
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. All other later copies made of this image by other publishers were unauthorised, usually smaller and inferior in quality. Finely detailed portrait … Read Full Description
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S/N: CK03E-3125059-PI-HAWI–224007
(C015)
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Details
Full Title:
A Young Woman of the Sandwich Islands.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
225mm
x 295mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1784
Description:
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. All other later copies made of this image by other publishers were unauthorised, usually smaller and inferior in quality.
Finely detailed portrait of a Hawaiian girl with feathered rings (lei) on top of her head and round her neck, which identifies her as a member of royal rank. The leis were made from the feathers of rainforest birds, most of which were released after a number of feathers had been removed. The somewhat stiff appearance of the young woman’s hair is an indication that it had been coated with lime, a common decorative style that also bleached the front hair white. The shawl, or kihei, that she is wearing is made of soft, white tapa that falls from her shoulders, and is another indication of her royal status.
Beddie 1743-63, p.342, Joppien 3.317A, ill.p.547
From Cook & King, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere….
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.
