Daily Life in Atooi: An 18th-Century View of Kauai and Its People, circa 1785

Reference
BG-13597-86
Date
1785
Category
Engraving
Sheet size
24.0 x 38.0 cm (9.4 x 15.0 in)
Condition
Good
Availability
Available
Price
EUR 240

This antique engraving with the caption "Habitations and People of the Island of Atooi," which is an old name for Kauai, part of the Hawaiian Islands. The engraving is captioned to have been engraved for "Bankes's New System of Geography Published by Royal Authority."

The scene is rich with cultural and ethnographic details. It shows several indigenous Hawaiian people engaged in various activities in front of thatched houses. The people are depicted in different poses, including sitting, standing, and engaging in what appears to be a form of communication or social interaction. The attire of the figures is minimal, which reflects the traditional clothing of the time, and some carry tools or weapons that suggest their daily tasks or roles within the society.

The landscape includes palm trees and rugged mountain terrain in the background, giving a sense of the island's topography. The sky is filled with clouds, and the overall impression is of a vibrant community living in a lush environment.

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