Tahiti, The Fleet of Otaheite Captain Cook voyages 1778

Title: Flotte D’Otahiti Assemblee a Oparee.
(The Fleet of Otaheite assembled at Oparee).

Description: This antique hand-colored engraving depicts a Tahitian war fleet preparing for battle against a neighboring island chief, as witnessed by Captain James Cook on April 30, 1774 during his second voyage to the South Pacific. The scene shows numerous outrigger canoes with warriors aboard, some wearing mourner's dress.

The print originates from one of the first French editions of Cook's voyages, titled "Voyage das L'Hemisphere Austral, et autour du Monde, fait sur les Vaisseaux de Roi, L, Aventure & la Resolution…" published in 1778. It was engraved by Robert Bénard, a renowned French engraver who worked from sketches and paintings by William Hodges, the official artist on Cook's second voyage.

This is an authentic 18th century copperplate engraving, hand-colored at the time of publication. It provides a fascinating historical glimpse into Tahitian culture and warfare during the Age of Exploration, as documented by Captain Cook and his crew. The print is part of our collection of guaranteed original 16th-19th century maps, atlases and engravings from the voyages of discovery.

The engraving is in excellent condition, with the sheet measuring approximately 42 x 26 cm (16.5 x 10.25 inches) and the image area around 35.5 x 21 cm (14 x 8.25 inches). It is folded as originally published.

Keywords: Tahiti, Otaheite, Captain Cook, 1778, war fleet, outrigger canoes, Voyage das L'Hemisphere Austral, William Hodges, Robert Bénard, 18th century, copperplate engraving, hand-colored, Age of Exploration, maps, atlases, prints, voyages of discovery.

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