Hawaii and Its People: Original Drawings by Jacques Arago and Louis Choris

LOUIS CHORIS Born Russia/active Hawai‘i, 1795–1828 Three sketches. Sandwich Islanders, 1816 Watercolor, ink, and graphite on paper Overall: 21 7/8 x 15 1/16 in. (55.56 x 38.26 cm) Gift of the Honolulu Art Society, 1944 (12,155)

Two prolific artists visited Hawai‘i during a critical period in the Island’s history—Louis Choris and Jacques Arago. Ukrainian-born Choris, the artist onboard the Russian vessel Rurick, under the command of Otto von Kotzebue, illustrated his observations of Hawai‘i in 1816, prior to the death of Kamehameha I and the fall of the kapu system. The French artist, Arago, served on the Uranie, commanded by Louis Claude de Saulses Freycinet, and recorded his observations of the islands in August of 1819, just three months after the passing of Kamehameha I. While Choris witnessed the Islands under the old feudal system, Arago observed both the bereavement that engulfed the Hawaiian people following the monarch’s death, and the ensuing chaos with the collapse of the old political and social system. Although both ships were in the islands only briefly (approximately three weeks in Hawaiian waters), the illustrations by these voyage artists, and the various crew members’ journals, provide invaluable insight into the people, places and cultural practices of Hawai‘i.

JACQUES ARAGO Born France/active Hawai‘i, 1790–1855 Hawai‘i, 1819 –The death penalty of public execution by clubbing Graphite, pen, ink and grey wash on paper 8 x 10 1/2 in. (20.3 x 26.7 cm) Gift of Frances Damon Holt and in memory of John Dominis Holt, 1995 (25,707)

Choris’ art includes a likeness of Kamehameha in his final years. The naturalist Chamisso recorded an interesting detail regarding the illustration: “The excellent likeness of Tameiameia [Kamehameha] that Choris had painted was a source of happiness to all, everybody recognized it and took pleasure in it. I shall not forget a detail that might be called characteristic of the customs of this people. In his sketchbook the painter had drawn a woman of the middle class next to the king. Mr. Jung [Young] to whom the sheet was first shown, found this juxtaposition so dangerous that he advised our friend either to separate the two portraits or not allow them to be seen. Accordingly the sheet was cut in two before the picture of the king was shown to other O-Waihians [Hawaiians].”

LOUIS CHORIS Born Russia/active Hawai‘i, 1795–1828 Women of the Sandwich Islands Watercolor, ink, graphite on paper Overall: 15 7/16 x 21 5/16 in. (39.21 x 54.13 cm.) Gift of the Honolulu Art Society, 1944 (12,157)

Kamehameha’s heiau, ‘Ahu‘ena at Kawahaokaki‘i, Kailua Bay was illustrated by both Choris and Arago. Choris renders the temple in it’s final years of glory—images are wrapped in kapa, as is the ‘anu‘u structure, and animal sacrifices appear on the lele (pedestal for sacrifices and offerings). In Arago’s depiction three years later, there are substantial changes: both ‘anu‘u and the lele are gone, the large ki‘i images are quite different, and the tomb of Kamehameha is included. 

LOUIS CHORIS Born Russia/active Hawai‘i, 1795–1828 Grass House, Hawai‘i, 1816 Watercolor and graphite on paper 7 1/2 x 5 7/8 in (19.05 x 14.92 cm) Gift of the Honolulu Art Society, 1944 (12,149)

The heiau associated with Liholiho, Keikipu‘ipu‘i, located at the opposite end of Kailua Bay, was also illustrated by Arago. This heiau appears in a somewhat dilapidated state. Only the skeleton of an animal sacrifice appears on the lele, the tapa that once covered the ‘anu‘u is in shreds, and two of the large ki‘i images are toppled. Interestingly, many of the images have fresh fish offerings placed in their mouths, indicating that some still paid tribute to the old gods.   

LOUIS CHORIS Born Russia/active Hawai‘i, 1795–1828 Untitled Ink wash and graphite on paper 5 13/16 x 3 5/16 in. (14.76 x 8.41 cm) Gift of George H. Angus Family, 1952 (13,091)

A fascinating watercolor by Arago shows the baptism of Kalanimoku on board the Uranie. This is a curiosity, as it occurred prior to the arrival of the first missionaries. While visiting the ship, Kalanimoku had taken notice of the chaplain due to his unusual dress.  When informed of the chaplain’s duties, the chief begged to be baptized, as it was his mother’s dying wish. Pleased with the request, the chaplain happily obliged. The event was well-attended by the court; Liholiho and his five wives, his young brother Kauikeaouli, Ka‘ahumanu, and numerous attendants bore witness to the baptism. A celebration was held following the ceremony. Various gifts were exchanged, and both wine and brandy flowed freely. Freycinet observed, “it is not too much to say that these royal guests drank and carried away, during a period of two hours, enough to take care of a mess of ten persons over a period of three months.”   

During the process of publication, the drawings from the voyages were copied by engravers and unfortunately subjected to reinterpretation and substantive change in the process. Thus, the original sketches in the artist’s hand provide far more accurate records than the subsequent published illustrations. Nearly two-dozen original illustrations (and several subsequent engravings for comparison) are on exhibit in the John Dominis and Patches Damon Holt Gallery.                

–Tricia Allen
Guest Curator