Omai, a Native of the Island of Utietea [i.e. Ulietea] (detail) Les Sauvages de la mer Pacifique 1805 Cook & Omai: The Cult of the South Seas Les Sauvages de la mer Pacifique 1805
Introduction The truest picture of an arcadia A Noble Savage in London The deaths of Cook and Omai Epilogue


A Noble Savage in London Next page


Omiah the Indian from Otaheite Presented to Their Majesties at Kew by Mr Banks & Dr Solander, July 17, 1774

click on image to enlarge

Unknown engraver
Omiah the Indian from Otaheite Presented to Their Majesties at Kew
by Mr Banks & Dr Solander,
July 17, 1774

London: 1774?
engraving; 11.1 x 13.9 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection NK10666
Pictorial Collection U5390

 

Omai arrived at Portsmouth on 14 July 1774 as a crew-member on board HMS Adventure, captained by Tobias Furneaux. Taken immediately to meet Lord Sandwich, the First Lord of the Admiralty, he was then placed in the care of Joseph Banks and Dr Solander, both of whom he claimed to remember from their visit to Tahiti five years earlier. Three days later, on 17 July, he was presented to King George III and Queen Charlotte at Kew. It was at this introduction that Omai would reveal the grace and ‘natural’ good manners that first astounded and then delighted his audience. Once approved by the highest in the land, Omai’s career as a ‘social lion’ was assured.

Next page

 

text only ~ merchandise ~ links ~ help ~ comments