John Barralet

Ireland / England / United States, b.1747, d.1815 (Engraver)

Sydney Parkinson

Scotland / England, b.1745, d.1771 (After)

The Head of a New Zealander

  • 1773
  • Copper engraving
  • Purchased 2017
  • 288 x 260mm
  • 2017/025

Aged twenty-three, Edinburgh-born botanical illustrator and natural history artist Sydney Parkinson joined Captain James Cook’s ambitious 1768–71 Pacific expedition aboard HMS Endeavour. He worked prodigiously but tragically died on the voyage home. This etching reproduces his study of a chief’s son he met near Rākaumangamanga Cape Brett in November 1769 – recorded as ‘Otegoowgoow’, the sitter was possibly Otekaukau or Te Kuukuu.

(Out of Time, 23 September 2023 – 28 April 2024)

Exhibition History