11035 John Hawkesworth (1715–1773) – Captain Wallis attacked in the Dolphin by the Tahitians – engraving (1774)
This engraving depicts a dramatic naval confrontation between Captain Samuel Wallis's ship, the Dolphin, and numerous Tahitian outrigger canoes in 1767. The scene captures the moment the British vessel fired its cannons to repel an approach by local warriors, with large plumes of smoke billowing from the ship's side as Tahitian figures are seen both in the water and on a nearby rocky cliff. 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 as a significant visual record of early and often tense European contact with the peoples of Oceania, reflecting the ethnographic and maritime observations documented during the voyages 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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