Bilder John Webber (1751–1793) – Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands, Drinking Kava – Tonga – Engraving (1785)

Beskrivning

"Poulaho, Roi des Isles des Amis, Buvant la Kava" illustrates a ceremonial gathering inside a large, thatched communal house in Tonga. The scene depicts King Poulaho seated among a large circle of Tongan men, participating in the traditional kava drinking ritual observed during Captain Cook's visit. This engraving is from the French edition of the official account of the third voyage, Troisième Voyage de Cook, published in Paris. The work is based on the original drawings of John Webber and provides an important ethnographic record of South Pacific social structures and architecture as encountered by European explorers in the late eighteenth century.

John Webber was an English artist and expeditionary illustrator who served as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific Ocean. His primary responsibility was to record the landscapes, peoples, and customs encountered during the journey, providing a visual supplement to the scientific and navigational logs. Webber's drawings were the first detailed European representations of many Pacific cultures, including those of Hawaii, Alaska, and the South Sea Islands. After the voyage, he oversaw the engraving of his works for the official publication of Cook's journals. His contributions are considered foundational to the field of ethnographic art and were instrumental in shaping the European perception of the Pacific during the Enlightenment.

Artist or Maker:
John Webber.

Dimensions:
Approximately 40 cm x 27 cm.

Medium:
Engraving.

Date:
1785.

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.