Omai, a Polynesian
Reproduction
Object numberRCSSC/P 241
CollectionHunterian Art
CategoryVisual works
Object nameOil paintings, Portraits
TitleOmai, a Polynesian
DescriptionPortrait of Mai, attributed to William Hodges, probably c.1775.
Head and shoulders; body turned to left with face looking right over his shoulder which is draped with a white robe; a lively and realistic portrait that is almost sketched with free bold brushstrokes.
Omai, or more properly Mai, from Huahine near Tahiti was brought to England in 1774 by Lieutenant Tobias Furneaux on HMS Adventure. He met the Earl of Sandwich, first Lord of the Admiralty, and was placed in the care of Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, both of whom had visited Tahiti with Captain James Cook five years earlier. Under their auspices he was introduced into London society and presented to George III and Queen Charlotte. He was inoculated at Lord Dimsdale’s house in Hertford and toured around the country. In 1776/7 he returned to Huahine with Captain Cook and was dead by 1788.
The portrait was owned by John Hunter before 1793, and was among those displayed in his museum in Leicester Square.
Production date 1775
Sitter/subject
Owner/user
transferred
Related objectsRCSIC/X 11
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 6: Leicester Square
Physical Information
Physical descriptionOil on mahogany panel, oval, 60cm by 50cm, framed and glazed.
Dimensions
frame height: 680 mm
frame width: 580 mm
frame depth: 50 mm
frame width: 580 mm
frame depth: 50 mm
Bibliography
SourceClift 1816
NotesManuscript list titled "A List of Paintings and Drawings framed and glazed, numbered according to the Situation in which they were placed round the rail of the Gallery in Mr. Hunter's museum in Castle Street Leicester Square"
Transcript28. The Portrait of Omai a Sketch by Wm. Hodges R.A.
