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C1777
Omai.
Artist:
Rare engraving of Omai from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s second voyage. Omai (more correctly Mae or Mai), was the young Raiatean (Society Islands) taken on the Adventure to England. He was the embodiment … Read Full Description
$A 245
S/N: CK02E-1169-PI-SOC–227987
(C015)
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Details
Full Title:
Omai.
Date:
C1777
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
195mm
x 240mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1777
Description:
Rare engraving of Omai from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s second voyage.
Omai (more correctly Mae or Mai), was the young Raiatean (Society Islands) taken on the Adventure to England. He was the embodiment of the ‘noble savage’ concept put forward by the influential French philosopher, Rousseau. Omai played an instrumental role as communicator between Cook and the natives of the Pacific Islands during the second and third voyages. Omai’s return was also one of the specific tasks contained in the Admiralty’s instructions for Cook’s third voyage.
Reference; Beddie 1381-57, p.269, Joppien 2.65A, ill.p.175, Nan Kivell p.238
From Cook’s, A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World, performed in His Majesty’s Ships the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Adventure’, In the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775.
William Hodges (1744 - 1797)
William Hodges was born in London, the only son of Ann and Charles Hodges, a blacksmith of St. James's Market London. They encouraged their son's talent for drawing and placed him in William Shipley's drawing school at Castle Court in the Strand. Joining Richard Wilson as an apprentice in 1758, he was required to assist his master 'in dead colouring and the forwarding of pictures'. A short period of study under Wilson and Cipriani at the Duke of Richmond's Gallery developed his style for classical composition. He was appointed artist on the Resolution and left Plymouth on 13 July 1772 and returned on 29 July 1775.
