75 John Webber (1751–1793) – A Dance in Otaheite – Engraving - Large Folio (1784)
This detailed ethnographic scene captures a communal Dance (heiva) performance in Otaheite (modern Tahiti). The foreground features four figures, two women and two men, performing in ceremonial attire with elaborate fans and costumes, standing on a woven mat. In the background, three musicians are seated under a thatched shelter, playing drums before a large audience of seated local people. This print documents a cultural performance witnessed by the expedition in 1777, and it 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, which resulted 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 |
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| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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