Morris (Artist) John Webber (Related Artist)
A Night dance by women, in Hapaee

Artwork Detail
Ha’apai is one of the islands of Tonga, where Webber, the artist on Cook’s third Pacific voyage, sketched the locals and their customs. The exoticism of Polynesian dances made a strong impression on early European observers and they were widely written about and illustrated throughout the 19th century. The rather rigid formal structure of the
composition indicates the engraver’s ‘enhancement’ of Webber’s original study to emphasise the rhythmic movement and to dramatise the atmosphere of the event. (Te Moananui a Kiwa, 2005)
- Title
- A Night dance by women, in Hapaee
- Artist/creator
- Production date
- 18th century
- Medium
- engraving
- Dimensions
- 228 x 342 mm
- Credit line
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
- Accession no
- U/166
- Other ID
- U/166/A, O/463 Old Accession Number
- Copyright
- No known copyright restrictions
- Department
- New Zealand Art
- Display status
- Not on display
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