View of Kealakekua Bay, 1779 / John Webber
- Bib ID:
- 6888872
- Format:
- Picture
- Author:
- Webber, John, 1752-1793, artist
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Description:
-
- 1779
- 1 drawing : pen, ink and grey wash on paper ; 31.3 x 54.4 cm
- Summary:
-
The work is described as a 'first generation' of various generations of Webber's images from the Cook voyage as it has the appearance of a work executed on the spot and lacking the revisions of later renditions, some of which were not accurate, which were intended to appeal to an audience eager for images of the exotic. First generation works, although lacking in visual appeal, have greater value for documentation and accuracy. Evidence supporting the date of its execution as 24-25 January 1779 is the general lack of people and activity depicted. During these dates - the last time the Resolution visited Kealakekua Bay - contemporary descriptions report that there was a period of kapu or prohibition. During the first of two visits by the Resolution to Kealakekua Bay, descriptions stress the busy activity and numbers of natives in the area.
- Biography/History:
-
Born in London in 1751, John Webber was the official artist-draughtsman employed by the British Admirality for James Cook's third voyage of exploration in the Pacific and to discover the Northwest Passage (1776-1780).
- Notes:
-
- Title from acquisition documentation.
- Condition: Stained, yellowing.
- Drawing executed during Cook's third voyage onboard HMS Resolution while at anchor in Kealakekua Bay between 24 and 25 January 1779.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-184188654
- Source of Acquisition:
- Purchased 2015.
- Subject:
-
- Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Journeys -- Hawaii -- Pictorial works -- Early works to 1800
- Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Voyages -- 3rd, 1776-1780 -- Pictorial works -- Early works to 1800
- Dwellings -- Hawaii -- Kealakekua Bay -- Pictorial works -- Early works to 1800
- Kealakekua Bay (Hawaii) -- Pictorial works -- Early works to 1800
- Terms of Use:
- Copyright restrictions may apply.
- Exhibited:
- Exhibited: "Cook and the Pacific, National Library of Australia, 19 September 2018 - 10 February 2019.
- Copyright:
-
Out of Copyright
You may copy or order a copy through Copies Direct or use the online copy for research or study; for other uses Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Creator Date of Death is Before 1955
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Artistic
- Presumed date of death of creator (latest date):
- 1793
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1779
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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