John Webber (1752 – 1793)

A human sacrifice, in a moral, in Otaheiti c. 1777

A Copper engraving.

Preparation for a human sacrifice attended by Captain Cook.

Image size:   235mm x 464 mm.‎

Condition:  Good

Captain James Cook’s Third Voyage of Exploration, from the Pacific Ocean and the
northwest coast of America with the ship Resolution and the Discovered which started
in 1776.  The ships passed the Cape of Good Hope, Australia and stopped at Tahiti in
1777.  A Tahiti’s leader, Tina, invites Captain Cook, Captain Clarke, artist John Webber
and others to attend a ceremony on a marae on the island’s east coast.  It is an important
event, it involves asking for help from the God of War, ‘Pro, in a battle against the leader
of a neighbouring island.  They make the offering of a human sacrifice, as well as the
sacrifice of pigs and dogs.  The man killed for the ceremony was one of the chief’s
servants, and he was buried beneath the marae.  Captain Cook found the ceremony
fascinating and described it in details in his journal.  Webber was the on-board artist in
Cook’s voyage to create images of the place and people he countered.  The illustrations
have played a significant role in shaping perception of the Pacific Islands.