Bilder John Webber (1751–1793) – Portrait of a Man from Mangaia – Cook Islands – Large Folio Engraving (1784)

Beskrivning

"A Man of Mangeea" illustrates a portrait of a male inhabitant of Mangaia, the second largest of the Cook Islands, rendered with significant ethnographic detail. The subject is depicted with a distinctive top-knot hairstyle secured with a woven band, a full beard, and a large wooden ornament or tool passed through the lobe of his ear. 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 represents an important Enlightenment-era study of Pacific Island appearance and personal adornment, capturing the specific cultural markers of a population that had very limited contact with Europeans at the time.

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 30 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.