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1778 Engraving: Captain Cook's Second Voyage, Meeting the Tahitians
£205
$270 · €240
Original print, not a reproduction.
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- Date
- 1778
- Sheet size
- 13.1 × 8.3 in (33.3 × 21.1 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Given age. Light soiling and occasional light creasing. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling, especially around the edges. Please study scan carefully.
- Collection
- Voyages of discovery
- Era
- 1700 to 1789, Age of discovery
- Stock no.
- f_40631732
1778 Engraving of Captain Cook's Second Voyage: Meeting Tahitians
This beautiful copper-line engraving from 1778, created by Charles Grignion (1717-1810) after a work by Samuel Wale (1721-1786), depicts a significant moment from Captain James Cook's second voyage to the Southern Hemisphere, specifically his encounter with the Tahitians in August 1773.
Details:
- Title: O-Tai, his wife, and Sisters visiting Captn Cook on board the Resolution Sloop at O'Taheitee
- Publication: Engraved for Moore's Voyages and Travels
- Engraver: Charles Grignion
- Artist: Samuel Wale
- Medium: Copper-line engraving
Historical Context:
Captain James Cook was commissioned by the Royal Society to lead a scientific expedition in 1772 to search for the hypothetical Terra Australis. Commanding HMS Resolution, with Tobias Furneaux commanding the companion ship HMS Adventure, Cook's expedition circumnavigated the globe at an extreme southern latitude and became one of the first to cross the Antarctic Circle. Despite separation from Furneaux in the Antarctic fog, Cook continued to explore the Antarctic, almost encountering the mainland before turning towards Tahiti to resupply. This engraving captures a moment during this historic voyage, highlighting the cultural exchange between Cook and the Tahitians.
This print is a valuable piece for collectors of historical maritime or exploration-themed art, offering a glimpse into the encounters between European explorers and the indigenous peoples of the Pacific during the Age of Discovery.
