Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Engraving of The Tragic Demise of Captain James Cook in 1779 in the South Seas

$417.40
$521.7520% Off
£311.12
£388.9020% Off
€352
€44020% Off
CA$572.79
CA$715.9920% Off
A$641.37
A$801.7220% Off
CHF 334.64
CHF 418.3020% Off
MX$7,814.67
MX$9,768.3320% Off
NOK 4,246.30
NOK 5,307.8820% Off
SEK 4,037.10
SEK 5,046.3820% Off
DKK 2,680
DKK 3,35020% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

The engraving titled "The Death of Captn. Cook" depicts the dramatic and tragic event of Captain James Cook's death. This artwork is intricately framed with ornate borders and decorations that add a grandiose and solemn tone to the image. Scene Description: The central image portrays the moment of Captain Cook's death, which occurred during his third and final voyage on February 14, 1779, at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. Captain Cook is shown at the center, armed with a musket and seemingly attempting to defend himself. Surrounding him are several Native Hawaiian warriors armed with spears and clubs, aggressively advancing towards him. One of the warriors appears to be ready to strike Cook. To the left of Cook, there is a European officer, possibly one of Cook's men, shown in a protective stance, illustrating the chaos and violence of the moment. In the background, there are several palm trees indicative of the tropical setting. Additionally, ships can be seen in the distance, anchored in the bay, which represents the presence of Cook's expedition fleet. Artists and Publication: The engraving is credited to two artists: Hamilton, who is noted as the original artist ("delin." indicating "delineator" or designer), and Thornton, who is the engraver ("sculp." indicating "sculptor" or engraver). The work is specifically engraved for "Millar's New Complete & Universal System of Geography," which suggests that it was part of a larger publication aimed at providing comprehensive geographic and exploratory knowledge. This publication would likely have been intended for an audience interested in the latest discoveries and the expanding knowledge of the world during that era. Date The engraving is dated 1780, which places it shortly after Captain Cook's death in 1779, reflecting the contemporary interest and significance of the event. Additional Elements The engraving includes decorative elements such as laurel wreaths and drapery, enhancing the commemorative nature of the image. These adornments frame the central scene and draw attention to the historical importance of Captain Cook's explorations and his untimely demise. Inscription The text at the bottom reads: "The DEATH of CAPtn. COOK, at O-why-hee, near Kamschatka, whose discoveries in this Last Voyage, as well as those of his First and Second, will be included in this New & Improved System of Geography." This inscription further emphasizes the geographic focus of the publication and highlights Captain Cook's significant contributions to exploration. In summary, this engraving vividly captures the moment of Captain Cook's death in Hawaii, framed by decorative elements and produced for an 18th-century geographic publication. It serves as both a historical document and a piece of commemorative art, created by Hamilton and engraved by Thornton, and published by Millar in 1780.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.98 in (35.5 cm)Width: 9.45 in (24 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
    1780-1789
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1780
  • Condition:
    Condition: Good, given age. Light soiling and occasional light creasing. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13599-241stDibs: LU3054340631092

More From This Seller

View All
1778 Engraving: Captain Cook's Second Voyage - Meeting the Tahitians
Located in Langweer, NL
1778 Engraving of Captain Cook's Second Voyage: Meeting Tahitians This beautiful copper-line engraving from 1778, created by Charles Grignion (1717-1810) after a work by Samuel Wale...
Category

Antique 1770s Prints

Materials

Paper

Navigating History: An Allegorical Frontispiece Honoring Captain Cook, ca.1788
Located in Langweer, NL
An antique engraving of the frontispiece to "Bankes's New System of Geography." The detailed artwork typically found in frontispieces of this era was designed to capture the essence ...
Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

Engraving of The Death of Captain James Cook at Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, 1784
Located in Langweer, NL
A historical copper engraving depicting "The Death of Captain James Cook, F.R.S. at Owhyhee in MDCCLXXIX" (1779). This engraving is particularly sig...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Bougainville's Claim in the Magellan Straits, circa 1767
Located in Langweer, NL
The engraving depicts the French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville hoisting the French colors upon a small rock in the Magellan Straits. This act symbolizes the claiming of terr...
Category

Antique 1760s Prints

Materials

Paper

End of an Odyssey: The Fall of Captain James Cook in Hawaii in 1779
Located in Langweer, NL
This original antique print is an engraving titled "The Murder of CAPT. COOK at O-Why-e-e." This historical print depicts the moment of Captain James Cook...
Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

The Ceremonial Offering to Captain Cook in Hawaii, Engraved in 1778
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "The Ceremonial Offering to Captain Cook in Hawaii, 1778" This detailed antique engraving, titled "An Offering Before Captain Cook in the Sandwich Islands," captures a significant historical encounter from Captain James Cook's voyages. The artwork, based on a drawing by John Webber, who accompanied Cook, was skillfully translated into print by the combined talents of Samuel Middiman for the landscape and John Hall for the figures. Created around 1778, this scene illustrates a moment where indigenous Hawaiian men present offerings of suckling pigs to Captain Cook and his European companions. A towering figure wearing an imposing mask stands sentinel behind the Europeans, symbolizing the cultural richness and ceremonial traditions of the Hawaiian people. The scene is framed by native palms and lush tropical vegetation, with a typical steep-roofed thatched building enclosed by a fence in the background, hinting at the architectural styles of the era. This print, marked by 'Walker sculp', offers a poignant visual narrative of cultural exchange in the age of exploration.
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

A Collection of Engravings Illustrating 18th Century Furniture and Objects
Located in Middleburg, VA
A Collection of Engravings Illustrating 18th Century Furniture and Objects that the artist felt represented certain locations around the world...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Neoclassical Drawings

Materials

Giltwood, Paper

Early 18th Century Engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720
Located in Nantucket, MA
Very early 18th century Dutch woodblock engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720, a hand colored engraving illustrating the Dutch whaling flee...
Category

Antique 1720s Dutch Baroque Prints

Materials

Paper

B.West Engraving "Naval Battle, Battle of the Houge" 18th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This magnificent engraving is entitled "Battle of La Hougue" by the engraver E.C Voysard after Benjamin West. It depicts the Battle of Barfleur- La Hougue,...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

1747 Birth and Triumph of Venus Framed Engraving
Located in Bradenton, FL
A 1747 engraving by Jean Daulle (1703-1763), engraver to the King, as signed at the bottom left, above the title of the painting "Naissance et Triomphe de Venus" by French artist Fra...
Category

Antique 1740s French Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Jacques-Philippe Le Bas "The Illumination" Engraving 18th Century
By Jacques-Philippe Le Bas
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Interesting engraving by Jacques-Philippe Le Bas depicts the illuminations set up on the evening of 29 August 1739 at the crossroads of St Denys and La Ferronnerie for the wedding of...
Category

Antique 18th Century European Prints

Materials

Paper

Engraving of the medal and decoration of the Sea Battle of Doggersbank 1781
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Engraving of the commemorative medal and decoration of the Sea Battle of Doggersbank 1781, by Noach van der Meer After an earlier print by Jacobus Buys. Published in Beschrijving...
Category

Antique 1780s Dutch Drawings

Materials

Paper