John Webber (After), Daniel Lerpinière (Engraver)

A Morai, in Atooi

A Morai, in Atooi by John Webber, Daniel Lerpinière

Artwork Detail

Exploring the Waimea valley on Kauai in the Hawaii, Captain Cook, William Anderson and John Webber came across a heiau, a burial enclosure which recalled Tahitian marae, hence the title given to this print. Two prints were included in the Atlas of this discovery, demonstrating the extent of European interest in such religious and burial rites.

Cook described that a “Pyramid which they call [Henananoo] was erected at one end, it was 4 feet square at the base and about [20] feet high, the four sides was built of small sticks and branches, in an open manner…”. Depicted on the ground are carved boards marking graves, and at far left, the end of a long house.

(See J&S Vol. III, Text p.74, Cat. 3.171-3.174)

Title
A Morai, in Atooi
Artist/creator
John Webber, Daniel Lerpinière
Production date
1784
Medium
engraving on paper
Dimensions
267 x 409 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2007
Accession no
2007/29/10
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Department
New Zealand Art
Display status
Not on display

To find out which artworks are available for print requests and reproduction please enquire here. This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection.