76 John Webber (1751–1793) – The Body of Tee, a Chief, as preserved after Death, in Otaheite – Engraving - Large Folio (1784)
This remarkable ethnographic scene depicts the preserved body of Chief Tee of Otaheite (modern Tahiti), laid out on an elevated funeral platform (tupapau) within a traditional open-sided shelter. The tropical setting, dominated by palm trees, emphasizes the foreign cultural context of the ritual. The illustration records a funeral practice witnessed by Captain Cook's expedition in 1777, where the chief's embalmed body was briefly exposed. This print was included as a detailed visual record in the official British Admiralty-sanctioned account of Captain James Cook's third and final voyage, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean.
John Webber was an English landscape and portrait artist who served as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage of discovery (1776–1780) aboard HMS Resolution. His official task was to create drawings of the people, places, and memorable scenes encountered, providing a visual record that was intended to supplement the written narrative. Upon returning to England, Webber was commissioned by the Admiralty to supervise the engraving and publication of his sketches, resulting in the comprehensive atlas for the voyage publication.
Artist or Maker: John Webber
Dimensions: Approximately 26 × 40 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.
| Estimate | 200 - 300 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
Dahlströms Rare Prints
Harju maakond, Tallinn
Lasnamäe linnaosa, Ruunaoja tn 3, 11415
Estland
info@dahlstromsrareprints.com
© Software Copyright 2025 Skeleton. All rights reserved.