11034 John Hawkesworth (1715–1773) – Encounter between Captain Samuel Wallis and Queen Purea – engraving (1774)
This engraving depicts a significant historical encounter between Captain Samuel Wallis and Queen Purea (referred to as Oberea) on the island of Tahiti in 1767. The scene illustrates the formal exchange and interaction between the British naval party and the Tahitian people in front of a large, traditional open-sided structure, set against a lush tropical landscape with towering palm trees. This work was published as part of the official account of the voyages of discovery in the Southern Hemisphere, compiled by John Hawkesworth. The illustration served to document the first European contact with Tahiti for a global audience, capturing the ethnographic and ceremonial details of the meeting as perceived by the explorers of the Enlightenment era.
John Hawkesworth was an influential English writer and editor who was commissioned by the Admiralty to compile and refine the official narratives of the Pacific voyages of Captain Byron, Captain Wallis, Captain Carteret, and Captain Cook. His multi-volume work, An Account of the Voyages undertaken by the order of His Present Majesty for making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere, became a massive commercial success and a foundational text in the history of exploration. While Hawkesworth provided the literary structure, the accompanying engravings were based on sketches by artists who accompanied the expeditions, such as Sydney Parkinson. His contributions were essential in shaping the European imagination regarding the South Seas and the cultures of Oceania during the late eighteenth century.
Artist or Maker: John Hawkesworth and Robert Bénard.
Dimensions: Approximately 38 cm x 26 cm.
Medium: engraving.
Date: 1774.
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.
| Värdering | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 24.4% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
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