This detailed engraving is of a native dance on the island of Otaheite, modern day Tahiti, which is one of the most recognizable images of island culture. The dance, noted for its fast paced hip movement and grass skirts, is performed in rows often to the beat of a drum. It is similar to the Hawaiian hula.
The artist, John Keyse Sherwin (1751-1790), was appointed "Engraver to the King" in 1785. He engraved this image after an original by John Webber (1751 – 1793), who recorded the scene while serving as the official artist aboard the
HMS Resolution, during Captain James Cook's third Pacific voyage. He is believed to have been the first European Artist to make contact with Hawaii, then known as the Sandwhich Islands.
Due to the vast number of new lands being discovered during the 1700s, books about travel and exploration became very popular in Great Britain. Such books often included maps and engravings. This Sherwin engraving was printed in John Hamilton Moore's New Complete Collection of Voyages & Travels, which was one of the more popular exploration volumes available to the public.
Plate size: 5.25" x 7.5"
Sheet size: 8" x 10.5"
Condition: In good general antiquarian condition, with minor water stains throughout.
