John Cleveley (United Kingdom, 1747-1786) [after James Cleveley]
Views in the South Seas [A complete set of 4 Views]
comprising: View of Owyhee, one of the Sandwich Islands; View of Moorea or Eimeo, one of the Society Islands; View of Hua Heine, one of the Society Islands, showing the Resolution and Discovery at anchor in the magnificent harbour of O'Wharre; View of Charlotte Sound in New Zealand.
London: published by T. Martyn, London [1787-88]
Four very fine hand-coloured aquatints by Frances Jukes, each 450 x 610mm approximately, one is slightly larger. The view of Moorea with printed frames and title, the others without them as usual. A few slight marginal repairs, matted, framed and glazed.
The famous set of views from Cook’s third voyage depicting the Resolution and Discovery at anchor in the Society and Sandwich Islands including representation of the death of Cook.
The aquatints are engraved by Jukes from paintings by the artist John Cleveley apparently from sketches made by his brother James, a carpenter aboard the Resolution who was present at the death of Cook. His drawing of the event is believed to be the most authentic view.
The view of Matavai was incorrectly titled View of Charlotte Sound in New Zealand.
In the process of preparing the views for a European audience both landscape and islanders were presented in accordance with the precepts of classified and compositional artifice a common practice in 18th century voyage art.
Frances Jukes [1747-1812] was an important English engraver and aquatinter, he did much of his work in colour especially his landscape and marine prints. The four aquatints after the Cleverley brothers are among his better-known works.
An important and rare collection of Pacific views.

Provenance: Sir Alistair McIntosh [Wellington]. Estate of John Lawford.