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C1784
Tereoboo, King of Owyhee, bringing Presents to Capt. Cook.
Artist:
Spectacular and important engraving depicting the Big Island high chief, Kalaniopuu, identified as Tereoboo in the title of this engraving, in transit on his way to visit Cook aboard the Resolution, which had laid anchor in Kealakekua Bay on 27 … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
Tereoboo, King of Owyhee, bringing Presents to Capt. Cook.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition, with folds as issued.
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
395mm
x 255mm
Paper Size:
460mm
x 285mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1784
Description:
Spectacular and important engraving depicting the Big Island high chief, Kalaniopuu, identified as Tereoboo in the title of this engraving, in transit on his way to visit Cook aboard the Resolution, which had laid anchor in Kealakekua Bay on 27 January 1779.
Tereoboo, was a king of the island of Kauai, one of the Hawaiian islands, during the 18th century. He was a leader of the island during the time of Captain James Cook’s third and final voyage to the Pacific in 1778. Tereoboo is known for his interactions with Captain Cook and his crew as he was among the first Hawaiian leaders to make contact with Western explorers, and his visit with Cook and his crew helped to establish relationships between the Hawaiian people and European explorers. Although, Tereoboo is not widely known outside of historical records of Captain Cook’s voyage, he played an important role in the history of Hawaii and the encounter of the Hawaiian people with the Western world.
He is portrayed in a feather cloak, standing toward the front of the lead outrigger. He is accompanied by a number of kahuna, or temple priests, including the high priest, Kao. Gifts of pigs and produce are carried in the canoe to right of the lead canoe. The canoe in the left foreground carries four temple images.’ Cook Journals III, i, 512.
‘At noon on January 26, 1779, Tereoboo, in a large canoe attended by two others, set out from the village and paddled towards the ships in great state. As they went along, those in the center canoe kept singing with much solemnity, from which we concluded that the procession had some of their religious ceremonies mixed with it. But instead of going on board, they came to our side. Their appearance was very grand.’
The significance of this engraving is that it represents one of the earliest recorded encounters between Western explorers and the Hawaiian people. It also serves as an important historical record of the interactions between the two cultures and the island of Hawaii during the 18th century. Cook’s interactions with the Hawaiian people were important for his journal and his voyage, as it helped him to understand the culture and customs of the islanders.
This engraving is 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.
Beddie 1743-61, p.342, Joppien 3.298A, ill.p.530
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.
