Te Papa has acquired the 1785 painting of Poedua [Poetua], daughter of Oreo, chief of Ulaietea, one of the Society Isles, by John Webber (1751-1793) by private sale brokered by Christie’s, London.

The painting, one of three iterations, is significant as being the first representation of an indigenous woman presented to a European audience, and also complements Te Papa’s current holdings of Webber works, namely Portrait of Captain James Cook, circa 1780, and Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, circa 1788 (both currently on display in Toi Te Papa Art of the Nation on Level 5).

“While not much is known about the painting’s early provenance, it has been held in private collections for many years,” said Ms Michelle Hippolite, Te Papa’s Acting Chief Executive and Kaihautü

“This painting has many links with a variety of Te Papa’s holdings relating to Captain Cook, from the Banks and Solander botanical collections, the Endeavour’s cannon, the Pacific collection and, of course, Webber’s other works in the art collection,” Ms Hippolite said.

Te Papa paid 1.12 million euros for the painting (inclusive of 120,000 euros commission) from the museum’s cash reserves. The price was in line with an independent valuation and comparable valuations of other major works by Webber.

The painting will need to undergo extensive conservation work and Te Papa conservators are confident it can be restored it to the artists’ intention. The conservators will be consulting with the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, who will shortly be undertaking conservation of their iteration of Poedua.

Te Papa is investigating the possibility of presenting Poedua when the painting arrives in New Zealand and prior to conservation treatment.

BACKGROUND

Webber impressed botanist Daniel Solander who then recommended him for the position of artist on Cook’s third, ill-fated voyage. Cook anchored at Raiatea, Tahiti from 3 November 1777 and was visited on board the HMS Resolution by the island’s chief or king, Oreo. Oreo’s two daughters, Poetua and Tainamai, accompanied him bearing gifts of welcome and respect.

Raiatea was to be Cook’s last planned stop before sailing into the North Pacific, and the sailors became restless once this plan was made known. Many of the crew began to abandon ship, and Cook, in an effort to regain control of his crew, resorted to abducting Oreo’s son Teura, Poetua and son-in-law Moetua in hope the Tahitians would send the men back. It was under these circumstances that Poetua, pregnant at the time, posed for Webber in a cabin on board Clerke’s ship, Discovery. Cook’s plan was successful, the men returned, and the captives released to their village.

Image: Poedua [Poetua], daughter of Oreo, chief of Ulaietea, one of the Society Isles, 1785, by John Webber (1751-1793). Image reproduced courtesy of Christie's, London.