6426 William Hodges (1744–1797) – A Toupapow with a Corpse on it: A Burying Place in the Isle of Otaheite – Engraving (1777)
This detailed engraving, titled "A TOUPAPOW WITH A CORPSE ON IT. Attended by the Chiefs Mourners in the Isle of Otaheite.", was designed by William Hodges. Published on May 1st, 1777, by W. Strahan and T. Cadell in London, this print is Plate N° 27 from the official accounts of Captain James Cook's second voyage (A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World). The illustration depicts a solemn tropical scene in Tahiti (Isle of Otaheite), showcasing a corpse placed on a raised platform (a "toupapow"), attended by figures beneath a hut and palm trees. It offers a significant 18th-century ethnographic glimpse into the funerary practices of Pacific Islanders observed during Cook's expeditions.
William Hodges (1744–1797) was a distinguished English landscape painter and the official artist on Captain James Cook's second circumnavigation of the globe. His work from the voyage, including detailed topographical and ethnographic illustrations, significantly contributed to European understanding and visual documentation of the Pacific. Hodges's art blended scientific observation with an emerging Romantic sensibility, making him a key figure in 18th-century exploration art.
Artist or Maker: William Hodges
Dimensions: Approximately 20 cm x 25 cm
Medium: Engraving
Date: 1777
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
| Värdering | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 24.4% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
Dahlströms Rare Prints
Harju maakond, Tallinn
Lasnamäe linnaosa, Ruunaoja tn 3, 11415
Estland
+46 70 359 75 85
info@dahlstromsfineart.se
© Software Copyright 2025 Skeleton. All rights reserved.