Printed Cotton Panel, Cook's Voyage

Date1785-1795

MediumCotton with linen sewing threads (fiber identification by eye)

DimensionsOH: 39 1/2" x OW: 27 1/2" (69.9 x 100.3 cm.); Vertical repeat: 28" (71.1 cm); Selvage width: 26 1/2" (67.3 cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2021-197

DescriptionThe is a rectangular panel of red on white copperplate-printed cotton in a mélange of scenes depicting Captain James Cook’s voyages to Tahiti and New Zealand, which began in 1768. The scenes show human figures in costumes as well as structures, a canoe, and trees, all separated by continuous looping C-scrolls, seaweed, and feather fans. The scenes are taken and adapted from published accounts of Cook’s Voyages. The main panel of textile has a narrow strip 1 ½ inches wide stitched to one side using linen running stitches.
Label TextThis printed textile is based on published engraved scenes of the South Pacific, documented by explorer and cartographer captain James Cook. A captain in the British Royal Navy, Cook fought in the Seven Year's War and mapped areas of the world, including Australia, Hawaii, the Society Islands, and New Zealand. Cook's adventures were made known to the British public through a number of books published during the 1700s and 1780s. Artists and engravers depicted the exotic scenes in prints offered for sale.
ProvenanceOther than vendor, there is no known provenance.