Louis Rey. Figurative Prints

"Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands, Drinking Kava" is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It was published in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admirality sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. Captain Cook visited Tonga on his 3rd voyage, which he named The Friendly Islands because of the warm welcome he and his crew received, unlike some of the other more hostile Pacific islands. The engraving depicts Cook and his men observed a kava ceremony at the village of Mu’a on Tongatapu. King Paulaho sits in the centre foreground, his back to the spectator with a man kneeling before him. The ceremonial mat depicted behind Paulaho indicates that nobody was allowed to sit behind him. The figure in the centre holds a single cup, referring to the Tongan custom of offering the cup to the king first. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and was first described for English readers in 1768 by Captain James Cook. The kava root has been used for centuries as a central feature of ceremonies and celebrations because it was able to bring about a calming and pleasant social atmosphere. The root was crushed and processed into coconut milk to become the focal ceremonial beverage, simply referred to as kava. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. This amazing Koa wood is native to Hawaii and it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and mats (LU117324682422, LU117324684052, LU117324684032). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Captain Cook is remembered as one of the greatest explorers and navigators in history. His explorations included Australia, New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific and the northwest coast of North America. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...

A rich and tonal image of an icon of Manhattan architecture. Etching with drypoint, 11 7/8 x 7 3/8 inches (300 x 186 mm), full margins. Edition of 100. Signed in pencil, lower right...

Etching, drypoint, and roulette on watermarked Hallines cream laid paper, 3 3/4 x 5 7/8 inches (95 x 148 mm), full margins. A very good impression of this charming image, with all of...

COLMAR is an original wood engraving by the American artist Bernard Brussel-Smith, hand printed in yellow, light blue and black ink. COLMAR depicts a quaint French village scene with...

A peaceful image by Britian's first official war artist. Drypoint printed in brownish black ink on fibrous, laid Japon paper, 3 3/8 x 6 5/16 inches (85 x 161 mm), full margins. Sign...

Circa 1960. Etching and engraving on cream laid paper, 5 3/4 x 4 inches (141 x 102 mm), margins. Scattered light areas of spotty discoloration in the margins, minor mat tone. Four mi...

William Hogarth (1697-1764) Original engravings 155 pсs., 1 piece with blend. 1822 London From A. Neibergs collection

G. Paterson "Dinner Party at a Mandarin's House" Original Engraving After T. Allom C.1840 Original engraving Dimensions 8" wide x 5" high The frame measures 20.5" wide x 18.5" hig...

Reginald Marsh (1898-1954), Opera Box, 1936, engraving, signed, numbered and annotated in pencil (State II 4/5, “to Dolsy and Eddie”); one of only 11 proofs....

Richard Haas The Whitney (Marcel Breuer Building), 1979 Woodcut engraving Signed, titled, dated and numbered by the artist on the back. This is a rare Artist Proof 9/10, aside from the regular edition of 60. 22 3/4 × 18 1/4 inches Unframed This vintage 1979 woodcut engraving by the world's top architectural muralist and trompe d'oeil artist, Richard Haas, depicts the building New Yorkers nostalgically call the "Old Whitney". Long before the Whitney moved to Manhattan's trendy meatpacking district...

Hermine David, drypoint and engraving, Boxing Match, circa 1927, signed and numbered in pencil, lower margin. Reference: Jean Adhemar, Inventaire Biblioth...

Asa Cheffetz Ramshackle Barn (de-accessioned from the Denver Art Museum), ca. 1929 Wood-engraving Pencil signed, numbered 27/100 and titled by the artist on the front 13 × 10 1/4 inches Unframed - affixed to matting De-accessioned from the collection of the Denver Art Museum Asa Chaffetz, "the engraver's engraver" This is the original numbered wood engraving from 1929; not a later re-print This print was honorable mention in the International Exhibition of prints, Art Institute of Chicago, 1929 Exhibited: New England engraved: The prints of Asa Cheffetz: An Exhibition of his wood engraving & an exploration of his life as an artist. Springfield, MA: Museum of Fine Arts, 1984 (A different example) Asa Cheffetz Biography: Born in Buffalo, New York, Cheffetz studied at the School Of The Museum Of Fine Arts in Boston under Philip Leslie Hale...