The fleet of Otaheite assembled at Oparee

William Woollett’s dramatic engraving is based on William Hodges’ painting Review of the War Galleys at Tahiti (about 1776). Elevated on a fighting stage is a highly adorned chief wearing a fau – an imposing headdress over 1.2 metres in height. A taumi, a U-shaped neck adornment made from dog hair, feathers, shark teeth, and bark cloth, is draped over his chest.

Hodges was the official artist on British explorer James Cook’s second Pacific voyage (1772–75). On 26 April 1774, the travellers witnessed a fleet of over 159 canoes massing in a display of power in Matavai Bay, Tahiti. Hodges recorded the event in a series of sketches.