JEWELLERY, DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS AUCTION Tuesday, 18 April 2023 - 10:00 AM start
Webber's famous representation of 'The Death of Captain Cook',
Lot Details
original engraving, drawn by John Webber and engraved by F. Bartolozzi (figures) and W. Byrne (landscape). Published London 1 July 1785. Measuring 295 x 400mm, including caption and plate impression. A good copy of this famous image with only slight foxing and sharp impressions, depicting the moment before Cook met his end following a dispute with the Hawaiians at Kealakekua Bay over a cutter stolen from the Discovery. The eye is immediately drawn to Cook, depicted as tragic hero amidst the tumultuous skirmish. He is symbolically shown in full European dress, attempting to restrain his men, even as a Hawaiian warrior is about to plunge his dagger into his neck. This dramatic view by John Webber, who was appointed official artist on Cook's third and finial voyage to the Pacific, was not engraved in time for the publication of the accompanying atlas to the voyage and was thus issued separately. It is considered an integral part of any collection specialising in South Sea and Cook material. It took eleven months for the news of Cook's death on 14 February 1779 in Hawaii to reach the British Admiralty in London. The purpose of Cook's third and tragic voyage (1776-1779) was to locate the much sought after North-West Passage, a longed-for ice-free sea route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
