Details
French School, late 18th Century, after William Hodges, R.A.
Otago
unstretched and unframed
11 x 8 5/8in. (27.9 x 21.3cm.)
After J.K. Sherwin's engraving (Cook (1777) I, pl. XL; JS pl. 59) of Hodges' red chalk drawing (JS 2.75)
Otago
unstretched and unframed
11 x 8 5/8in. (27.9 x 21.3cm.)
After J.K. Sherwin's engraving (Cook (1777) I, pl. XL; JS pl. 59) of Hodges' red chalk drawing (JS 2.75)
Provenance
as Lot 50
The present picture follows the direction of Sherwin's engraving , but, like Hodges' recorded drawing which may have been Sherwin's model, omits the raised right hand holding a nail above his head (the Tongan way of showing appreciation). The oil does though include the drapery added by Sherwin but not included in Hodges' drawing.
Cook visited Tonga first in early October 1773 to co-ordinate Tasman's discovery with his own charts. Two Hodges portraits from Tonga are recorded (JS 2.75 and 2.76). The first is of Otago who accompanied Cook on his tour of the island: 'his attention could not be fixed to one object for any space of time, and it was difficult to prevail on him to sit still, whilst Mr. Hodges drew his portrait ... which expresses the countenance of this chief, and the mild character of the whole nation, better than any description' (G.Forster, A Voyage round the World etc., London, 1771, I, p. 459) See also Cook (1777), I, pp. 197-8 for Cook's first meeting with Otago at Tonga
The present picture follows the direction of Sherwin's engraving , but, like Hodges' recorded drawing which may have been Sherwin's model, omits the raised right hand holding a nail above his head (the Tongan way of showing appreciation). The oil does though include the drapery added by Sherwin but not included in Hodges' drawing.
Cook visited Tonga first in early October 1773 to co-ordinate Tasman's discovery with his own charts. Two Hodges portraits from Tonga are recorded (JS 2.75 and 2.76). The first is of Otago who accompanied Cook on his tour of the island: 'his attention could not be fixed to one object for any space of time, and it was difficult to prevail on him to sit still, whilst Mr. Hodges drew his portrait ... which expresses the countenance of this chief, and the mild character of the whole nation, better than any description' (G.Forster, A Voyage round the World etc., London, 1771, I, p. 459) See also Cook (1777), I, pp. 197-8 for Cook's first meeting with Otago at Tonga