Along with Oregon’s admission to the Union in 1859 and Alexander Graham Bell’s application for a patent for the telephone in 1876, Valentine’s Day occasionally coincided with major historical events. None more so in the eighteenth century than the death of Captain James Cook on the beach at Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii in 1779.
The pre-eminent explorer of his age, Cook’s legacy has suffered for being the figurehead of colonisation and the complications which ensued for New World nations and their indigenous populations. Indeed, the circumstances of his death involved Cook trying to facilitate the return of a stolen cutter by taking the Hawaiian King, Terreeoboo or Kalani’opu’u, on board HMS Resolution and holding him there until the boat was returned. Local Hawaiians got word of this and quickly assembled on the beach before the King went onboard. In the ensuing struggle between them and the British sailors, Cook was killed.
As such, one of the many subversive twists on the popular Valentine’s Day song goes: Roses are red violets are blue. Hawaiians killed Cook because he tried to kidnap Kalani’opu’u.
This is particularly fine copy of Webber’s depiction of the event, which is his most ambitious effort at history painting. Although crammed with figures, the eye is drawn directly to Cook, who is symbolically dressed in white, and in contrast to the greater part of the image, which is dark and indistinct, the warriors and seamen around him are highlighted in his reflected light.
This issue has the full caption with the Webber’s dedication to the “ Lord Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral.“
Joppien & Smith III, 3.305A.
