6702 John Hawkesworth – Mourner in His Habit of Ceremony (Tahiti) – Original Copperplate Engraving – 1773

The image was published in 1773 in An Account of the Voyages…, edited by John Hawkesworth, and based on drawings and eyewitness descriptions from Cook’s crew and the expedition artist Sydney Parkinson. It was among the first detailed representations of Polynesian ceremonial life ever seen in Europe, offering Enlightenment readers both fascination and admiration for the complexity of Pacific cultures.

John Hawkesworth (c.1715–1773) was appointed by the British Admiralty to compile the official narrative of voyages undertaken by Commodore Byron, Captain Wallis, Captain Carteret, and Captain Cook. His richly illustrated volumes brought accounts of newly encountered lands, peoples, and customs to a wide European audience, shaping the continent’s perception of the Pacific world.

Artist or Maker: Published under the direction of John Hawkesworth

Dimensions: 28 × 40 cm

Medium: Copperplate Engraving

Date: 1773

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.