HMS 'Resolution' and 'Discovery' in Tahiti RMG BHC1939

HMS 'Resolution' and 'Discovery' in Tahiti
(Updated, January 2016). The painting refers to James Cook’s third Pacific voyage voyage to Tahiti in 1778. In the background the island’s mountains rise into a clouded sky. The bay stretches into the picture space from the left leaving part of the foreground to the depiction of the shore. In the middle ground to the left Cook's ‘Resolution’ and ‘Discovery’(centre) are at anchor, dominating the calm waters. Islanders and Europeans can be seen on boats and among the houses and palm trees exchanging goods.
The unknown artist is working in the style of John Cleveley the Younger, who had capitalized on the artistic opportunities presented by a ready market for South Seas images. See BHC1838 and BHC1896. This example came to the Museum as a pair with BHC1838, which is apparently by the same hand, in 1951. Both are based on prints by Francis Jukes after Cleveley published in 1787-88.

HMS Resolution and Discovery in Tahiti