Portrait of a Mangean Islander in The South Pacific by John Webber, circa 1800

€ 140

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1800
Sheet size: 26.5 × 20.5 cm (10.4 × 8.1 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-13597-8

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

Good. Soiling and some browning due to age and handlng, mostly around the edges. One small chip in left top corner missing but plate mark with image intact. Check the image carefully.

About this sheet

A head and shoulders frontal portrait of a man named by Cook as Mourua, of Mangaia, Cook Islands, visited by Cook in March 1777.

Title: "Portrait of a Mangean Islander by John Webber"
This striking engraving by A. Warren, based on the artwork of John Webber, offers a glimpse into the visage of a man from Mangea, an island in the South Pacific Ocean. Webber, the official artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage, was renowned for his detailed and humanizing portrayals of indigenous peoples encountered during the expedition. This piece likely dates from the late 18th century, during a period of European exploration that sought to document and understand the wider world. The man is depicted with a distinctive hairstyle and facial features, set against a backdrop of clouds, symbolizing the remote and ethereal nature of his homeland.