This panoramic scene from Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique brings together three distinct Indigenous cultures of the Pacific — each rendered with grace, movement, and dignity against a backdrop of towering trees and a coastal inlet. It is a powerful celebration of cultural complexity and first contact, offering a rare European attempt to portray Pacific peoples not as curiosities, but as sovereign and organized societies.

·       At left, a Māori woman of Aotearoa (New Zealand) walks with her child along a forest path, accompanied by several warriors bearing weapons. Their garments — short flax cloaks dyed in olive and buff tones, along with facial tattoos and feather adornments — evoke the traditional dress and appearance recorded during Cook’s voyages. These figures, drawn from descriptions of Cook’s 1777 visit, embody the strength and familial bonds of Māori society. Dogs, domesticated and well-fed, appear alongside the group, reflecting their valued role in Māori daily life.

·       Center, the focus shifts northward to Prince William Sound, Alaska, and the communities Cook encountered there in 1778. The central figure wears a striking cedar bark hat, emblematic of the Northwest Coast’s ceremonial dress, and visually echoes the style made famous by Nuu-chah-nulth leaders such as Chief Maquinna. Men and women nearby wear fur-lined robes, carry decorated tools, and adorn their faces with painted patterns. The detailing of clothing — including robes sewn from animal gut and accessories of shell and bone — reflects the craftsmanship and winter adaptation of these seafaring northern peoples.

·       At right, a bustling shoreline captures the activity of the Tongan islanders of Nomuka (Annamooka). Figures carry oars and prepare their canoes — vessels adorned with outriggers and sails suited for oceanic travel. These navigators, praised by Cook for their refinement and hospitality, are portrayed mid-launch, with palm-lined shores behind them. Their minimal garments and poised movements reflect both elegance and communal purpose.

Historical and Cultural Context:

·       New Zealand (Panel XI): This scene reflects a more domestic view of Māori life

— with women, children, and warriors coexisting in a shared landscape. It