Man of New Caledonia/ Woman of New Caledonia

Title

Man of New Caledonia/ Woman of New Caledonia

Description

Representation of natives from New Caledonia

ca. 1750

Artist

Hogg (1778-1824)

Alexander Hogg (1778-1824) was a publisher of books, maps and prints. He was active in London and worked under the sign of the Kings Arms in Paternoster Row. He became known for his publications of James Cook's voyages of discovery.

Historical Description

The settlement of New Caledonia probably took place around 1500 BC by people of the Lapita culture. The descendants of these tribes today form the indigenous people of the Kanaks. In the period from the 11th century to the 18th century, Polynesians repeatedly reached the islands of New Caledonia, as they were in search of new land. The islands were discovered by the Europeans only in the course of the 18th century. In 1774, during his second voyage to the South Seas, James Cook became the first European to set foot on the islands. He gave them their present name because the appearance of the northeast of the main island reminded him of Scotland, which had been called Caledonia by the Romans. Cook explored the island landscape over nine days without any incidents. He was followed in 1792 by a Frenchman named Joseph Bruny d'Entrecasteaux. The first Europeans to settle on the islands were whalers and timber (sandalwood) traders. They were followed by missionaries in the 19th century.