Primary Artist

Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815)

Title

Omai, a native of Ulaietea.

Date made

25 October 1774 (imprint)

Place made

London, Greater London, England View on map Close map

Category

Print

Print type

intaglio

Technique

etching and stipple-engraving, printed in black ink, from one copper plate

Text printed from matrix

printed lower left below image in black ink, 'N Dance del.'.
printed lower right below image in black ink, 'F.Bartolozzi sculp.'.
printed lower centre below image in black ink, 'OMAI a Native of ULAIETEA, / Brought into England in the Year 1774 by Tobias Furneaux Esqr. Commander of his Majesty's Sloop Adventure; / Humbly Inscribed to the Right Hon.ble JOHN EARL of SANDWICH, First Commissioner for Executing / the OFFICE of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland; &c. &c. / By his Lordship's most devoted humble Servant, / Fra.s Bartolozzi'
printed below title text, 'Publish'd according to Act of Parlt. 25th Octr. 1774'.

Matrix size

54.0 x 33.0 cm (plate-mark); 46.5 x 29.1 cm (printed image)

Edition information

print run unknown

Subject categories

Voyages of exploration and discovery 1600-1900: English | Portrait: male | Australia, Art period: Pre-European settlement, to 1778

Subject description

A full-length portrait of Mai (known to the English as Omai), a a native of Ra‘iatea, Society Islands, French Polynesia.

Country of context

Australia

Legacy id

150154

Creators

Bartolozzi, Francesco. | (1727–1815) English | Italian | Male | engraver

Dance, Nathaniel. | (1735–1811) English | Male | print after

Last Updated

17 Jan 2026