1778 Engraving: Captain Cook's Second Voyage - Meeting the Tahitians
€ 240
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1778
Sheet size
33.3 × 21.1 cm (13.1 × 8.3 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13599-26
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
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.
About this sheet
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.
