Oceania - Polynesia / Southern Pacific).; Robert Bénard...

From the first French edition of the famous account of Captain James Cook's voyages ("Voyages du Capitaine Cook"), printed in Paris. Officially titled "Vue de Taïti et de plusieurs Pirogues de cette Isle" (the plate labeled in the lower right as Tome IV, Page 12, Pl. 74). It is one of the most fascinating and famous anthropological scenes of European 18th century art: it depicts the beaches of Tahiti teeming with the local population engaged in trade or interacting with the arrival of the British expedition. In the foreground, the large and majestic Polynesian double-hulled sailing canoes stand out, masterpieces of indigenous nautical engineering. The specimen is in excellent condition. The inking and the copperplate impression on the period paper are exceptionally sharp, ensuring a deep contrast between the whites and blacks of the hatch work.

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