How does Portrait of Omai elucidate its Background?
Mai (known in England as Omai) left the Society Islands (specifically, Raiatea) with Commander Tobias Furneaux on his ship HMS Adventure. The Adventure had left England in 1772, accompanying Captain James Cook on his second voyage of discovery in the Pacific, and visited Tahiti and Huahine in 1773. After visiting New Zealand, Omai arrived in England on Furneaux's ship in July 1774.
Mai was admired by London society, staying with the President of the Royal Society Sir Joseph Banks and meeting King George III, Dr Samuel Johnson, Frances Burney, and other English celebrities. He returned to the Pacific with Cook's third voyage in July 1776, arriving back on the island of Huahine in 1777. He stayed behind after Cook left in November 1777, and Mai died there in late 1779.
Tobias Furneaux Samuel Johnson Tahiti Raiatea Society Islands Omai Dr Samuel Johnson Huahine King George III second voyage of discovery London New Zealand George III Joseph Banks James Cook President of the Royal Society Cook's third voyage Frances Burney