Artwork Information

This view is of Paroa Bay in the Bay of Islands and relates to another plate from the voyage in the collection - Vue interieure du Pa de Kahouwera (Nouvelle Zelande) (1967/23/3). According to the Turnbull Library Korokoro was the chief of the area, who had died in 1823 - several years prior to the arrival of the French explorers. Three Māori stand in the foreground actively engaged in conversation, behind them the houses referred to in the title can be seen. A boat is pulled up on the shore line, presumably the Astrolabe, and figures can be seen on the beach nearby. The lithograph beautifully captures the atmospheric conditions with penumbral rays illuminating the scene as the clouds break.