Bilder John Webber (1751–1815) – Night Dance by Men in Ha'apai – Large Folio Engraving (1784)

Beskrivning

"A Night Dance by Men, in Hapaee" illustrates a formal ceremonial performance on the island of Lifuka in the Ha'apai group of Tonga, featuring two large rows of male dancers in traditional waistcloths. The composition depicts a night scene illuminated by fires, with several dancers in the center handling large poles while a group of seated spectators and European officers observe from the periphery. This engraving was published in London in 1784 by W. and A. Strahan as part of the official account of James Cook's third and final voyage. The work documents the complex social and performative traditions of the Tongan people, providing one of the earliest and most detailed visual records of Polynesian choreography and communal ritual.

John Webber was an English artist and explorer who served as the official draughtsman on Captain James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific aboard the HMS Resolution. Born in London and trained in Bern and Paris, he was selected for the expedition to provide a detailed visual record of the people, landscapes, and natural history encountered. Throughout the journey, he produced hundreds of drawings and watercolors that were later translated into high-quality copperplate engravings for the official government publication. Webber's work was instrumental in shaping the Enlightenment-era perception of the Pacific Islands and contributed significantly to the fields of ethnography and topographical art.

Artist or Maker: John Webber.

Dimensions: Approximately 40 cm x 55 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1784.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.