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Scarce small engraving showing the scene of Cook's death on Hawaii.
Concise engraved view depicting Cook's death at the hands of the native Hawaiians, based upon an original drawing by John Webber. A larger version of this engraving was separately published by William Byrne and Francesco Bartolozzi in London in 1784.
Cook's death in Hawaii is one of the iconic images of the 18th Century. Reproduced on numerous occasions, this example is drawn from the Webber artwork, from which most depictions of his death are taken. James Cook was killed in Hawaii on February 14, 1779. He and his men had spent the two months on the Big Island and been well received. They departed in early February 1779 but returned due to storms and the need for ship repairs. The second reception turned hostile, and tensions between the sailors and the natives increased. When Cook went ashore to investigate, a scuffle occurred and Cook was killed.
Conflicting accounts regarding Cook's death circulated, as there was some confusion over whether Cook was facing the Hawaiians and whether he had ordered his men to shoot at the islanders. Lieutenant James King, who was on the voyage but did not witness the incident, reported that "it was remarked that while he faced the natives, none of them had offered him any violence, but that having turned about, to give his orders to the boats, he was stabbed in the back, and fell with his face into the water."
In this engraving, Cook is situated slightly to the right of center, amongst a scen of sailors and native Hawaiians. He faces his men and, while armed with a rifle, has his back to the islanders. The Hawaiian directly behind Cook is armed and is about to attack Cook with a large knife.
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