William Hodges 1744-1797: The Art of Exploration

A View in the Island of New Caledonia in the South, c. 1777–78

© NMM, London, MOD Art Collection

Artist: William Hodges
Date: c. 1777-78
Repro ID: BHC2377
Materials: Oil on canvas
Measurements: 1380 x 1935 mm

Introducing the painting: On 4 September 1774, the 'Resolution' sighted an uncharted island in the western Pacific. Cook named this New Caledonia.

Cook spent 27 days charting the island's coastline and surveying the interior.

The elevated viewpoint of Hodges's painting is from the interior looking out over a valley landscape and the island's shoreline.

Click on one of the paintings to begin exploring.