concept

The dead body of Tee, one of the chiefs of the island of Tahiti, in a state of preservation. Engraving by W. Byrne, 1784, after J. Webber.

Taiyota, a boy from Otaheite (Tahiti), playing the nose-flute. Etching by R.B. Godfrey, 1773, after S. Parkinson.

Matavai Bay, Tahiti and some of its inhabitants on board boats, encountered on Captain Cook's second voyage, 1772-1775. Engraving by W. Watts, 1777, after W. Hodges.

The body of Vehiatua II, chief of Teahupo'o, lying in state in Tahiti two years after his death, as encountered by Captain Cook on his third voyage (1777-1780). Coloured soft-ground etching by J. Webber, 1789.

A young woman from Tahiti, dancing. Engraving by J.K. Sherwin, 1784, after J. Webber.

A young woman in Tahiti, wearing a large skirt. Engraving by F. Bartolozzi, 1784, after J. Webber.

Two red fish appear to swim inside a green condom in an ocean of sharks; representing a warning of the dangers of not using sexual protection and AIDS. Colour lithograph by Lionel Bouhier, 1992.

Potatau, a man in Tahiti encountered by Captain Cook on his second voyage, 1772-1775. Engraving by J. Hall, 1777, after W. Hodges.

A couple stand next to a man on a scooter who offers a condom to a man leaning against a car in a beach setting; an advertisement for safe sex and condoms by the Service d'Education pour la Santé, Papeete, Tahiti. Colour lithograph, 1990.

Tu, ruler of Te Porionuu, Tahiti, encountered by Captain Cook on his second voyage. Engraving by J. Hall, 1777, after W. Hodges.

News from New Cythera : a report of Bougainville's voyage, 1766-1769 / edited by L. Davis Hammond.

A tear divides an embracing naked couple representing a warning about safe sex and AIDS prevention by the Service d'Education pour la Santé, Papeete, Tahiti. Colour lithograph by B. Hugueville and E. Gispalou, 1990.

Young men and women in Tahiti, dancing. Engraving by J.K. Sherwin, 1784, after J. Webber.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We're experiencing some technical problems in the library today. 

If you’re visiting us, you won’t be able to print or use our PCs or laptops. If you want to sign-up for a free library membership, we’ll give you a temporary card for today and complete your membership next time you visit.

You can access items from the collection as usual and our team is on hand to help. Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues. 

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Tahiti (French Polynesia : Island)

Images from the collections

Images referencing Tahiti (French Polynesia : Island)

Works from the collections

News from New Cythera : a report of Bougainville's voyage, 1766-1769 / edited by L. Davis Hammond.

The body of Vehiatua II, chief of Teahupo'o, lying in state in Tahiti two years after his death, as encountered by Captain Cook on his third voyage (1777-1780). Coloured soft-ground etching by J. Webber, 1789.

Tu, ruler of Te Porionuu, Tahiti, encountered by Captain Cook on his second voyage. Engraving by J. Hall, 1777, after W. Hodges.

A tear divides an embracing naked couple representing a warning about safe sex and AIDS prevention by the Service d'Education pour la Santé, Papeete, Tahiti. Colour lithograph by B. Hugueville and E. Gispalou, 1990.

Young men and women in Tahiti, dancing. Engraving by J.K. Sherwin, 1784, after J. Webber.

Tahiti (French Polynesia : Island)

Images from the collections

Images referencing Tahiti (French Polynesia : Island)

Works from the collections

News from New Cythera : a report of Bougainville's voyage, 1766-1769 / edited by L. Davis Hammond.

The body of Vehiatua II, chief of Teahupo'o, lying in state in Tahiti two years after his death, as encountered by Captain Cook on his third voyage (1777-1780). Coloured soft-ground etching by J. Webber, 1789.

Tu, ruler of Te Porionuu, Tahiti, encountered by Captain Cook on his second voyage. Engraving by J. Hall, 1777, after W. Hodges.

A tear divides an embracing naked couple representing a warning about safe sex and AIDS prevention by the Service d'Education pour la Santé, Papeete, Tahiti. Colour lithograph by B. Hugueville and E. Gispalou, 1990.

Young men and women in Tahiti, dancing. Engraving by J.K. Sherwin, 1784, after J. Webber.

Related topics