Canoe of Tanoa, King of Ambau Island [sic], 1840
Bau Island, Fiji
Alfred T. Agate
Watercolor on paper

From 1838 to 1842, the United States Exploring Expedition established trade contacts, strengthened diplomatic relations, and produced navigational charts of the Pacific Ocean. Alfred Agate, one of the expedition artists, also documented the scenery and people he encountered. His work complements the more than 73,000 objects and specimens collected by scientists on board and the hundreds of new navigational charts created by his naval colleagues.

U.S. Navy Art Collection, C1820