C1785

Danse De Nuit Executee Par Les Hommes De Hapaee. [Tonga]

Rare engraving from the French edition of Cook’s voyages of a scene in Lifuka, Tonga, 20 May 1777, with James Cook and two sailorsto his left with their backs to the viewer seated amongst a circle of Tongan men and … Read Full Description

$A 90

In stock

S/N: CK03F-016-PI-TONGA–224299
(F28)
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Details

Full Title:

Danse De Nuit Executee Par Les Hommes De Hapaee. [Tonga]

Date:

C1785

Condition:

Small repaired tear to lower sheet, otherwise in good condition, with centre fold as issued.

Technique:

Copper engraving.

Image Size: 

385mm 
x 225mm

Paper Size: 

402mm 
x 270mm
AUTHENTICITY
Danse De Nuit Executee Par Les Hommes De Hapaee. [Tonga] - Antique Print from 1785

Genuine antique
dated:

1785

Description:

Rare engraving from the French edition of Cook’s voyages of a scene in Lifuka, Tonga, 20 May 1777, with James Cook and two sailorsto his left with their backs to the viewer seated amongst a circle of
Tongan men and watching a large group of men performing a dance, lit by tapers held by the watchers.

By contrast to the women dancers, the two male groups did not move towards each other but divided on either side of the chorus.

‘They sometimes sung slowly in conjunction with the chorus during which they made several very fine motions with their hands but different from those of the women, at the same time, inclining the body to either side alternately by raising one leg which was stretch’d outwards and resting on the other, the arm of the same side being also stretch’d fully upwards’.

From, Cook & King, Troisieme voyage de Cook, ou journal d’une expédition faite dans la Mer Pacifique du Sud & du Nord, en 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779 & 1780. Traduit de l’anglois.Paris, Pissot & Laporte, 1782. 

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.

View other items by John Webber

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