The Art of R. Terry Malone
Fine Art Giclee Prints Depicting the Era of the 1700 and 1800s
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Background to
Retribution at Paopao
|
Original-Vinyls on Illustration Board
Printed on canvas |
History can be confusing at times. The painting background is of Paopao, Moorea, French Polynesia, which is also known as Cook's Bay.
Captain Cook never actually visited Paopao, at least by sea. He personally did not visit Moorea until his third voyage around the world, at which time he anchored at Opunohu
on the other side of the mountain separating the two bays. If you look closely, you can see a hole in the middle peak at the base of Mount Mouaputa, which is also called the " pierced or sacred mountain".
It was thought to give off spiritual powers.
The British Royal Society provided Cook with Rules of Conduct that were to be followed when he was in contact with the native people. Simply put, the rules prohibited the use of firearms,
forebid the shedding of blood of the human creatures encountered, and not to occupy or settle any country without the consent of it's inhabitants.
During the first two voyages, Captain Cook tried to enforced the rules to the letter. He was noted for his even temper and good will towards the natives.
By the third trip however, the habits of the natives, namely stealing, began to wear on Cook.
In October of 1777, The Resolution and Discovery anchored at Opunohu Bay. Shortly thereafter, a goat was stolen. He was told that it was taken to Paopao. Cook suspected that it was stolen by one of the rulers
of the island. When a second goat dissapeared, Cook flew into a rage, which was quite uncharacteristic of him. Cook sent 35 men to the south of the island where he thought the goat was taken and ordered the houses and canoes to be burned.
The next morning he ordered the remaining canoes at Opunohu to be destroyed. He then personally lead an armed party over the mountain to Paopao to burn all of the houses and canoes, hoping that this would make the natives return the goats.
The painting was chosen for it's beauty. The narrative was chosen because of the unique story of how Captain Cook tried NOT to change Polynesian life and in the process changed his own. It is also about the clashing between two cultures.
|
|
| |
© 2005
R. Terry Malone
|
