“A Night Dance by Women, in Hapee” from the atlas of the official publication of the journal of Captain Cook’s 3rd and last voyage of exploration entitled; “A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken, by the Command of his Majesty, for making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. To determine The Position and Extent of the West Side of North America; its Distance from Asia; and the Practicability of a Northern Passage to Europe. Performed under the direction of Captains Cook, Clerke, and Gore, In His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Discovery. In the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780. In Three Volumes. Vol. I and II written by James Cook, F.R.S. Vol. III by Captain James King, LL.D. and F.R.S.”
The engraving was made from a drawing made by John Webber, who was the artist on the voyage.
Captain Cook arrived at Hapaee, Tonga (one of the Friendly Islands) in May 1777, where he was warmly greeted by Earoupa, the great chief of the island. Since this place had never been visited by any European ships, Cook was quite eager to examine it. During his stay, he and his men were treated with great hospitality, and their time was spent in mutual gift-giving and witnessing various ceremonies and displays, both formal and entertaining. In this engraving the women perform a dance ceremony for Captain Cook and some of his officers who are seen from behind in the foreground, as they watch the performance. The dancers are arrayed in semi circles flanking the musicians who are seated in the center with their long hollowed out bamboo sticks, which they beat rhythmically on the ground. Fire casts a beautiful soft light on the dancers while the backs of the audience are in the shadows.
The Richard & Leslie Breiman Collection.
