# Americans see Pacific Islander's historic portrait for first time

> Americans now see 1776 portrait of Pacific Islander Omai, who captivated 18th-century England.
- Title: Americans see Pacific Islander's historic portrait for first…
- Summary: Americans now see 1776 portrait of Pacific Islander Omai, who captivated 18th-century England. Americans can view Joshua Reynolds' 1776 portrait of Omai, a…
- Keywords: james cook, oami, reynolds, tahiti, portraits, national portrait gallery, getty center, 1776, pacific islander, british empire, polynesia, explorers
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/americans-can-now-see-a-famous-portrait-of-the-pacific-islander-who-captivated-18th-century-england-for-the-first-time-292055
- Author: Saar Shahar
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: james cook, oami, reynolds, tahiti, portraits, national portrait gallery, getty center, 1776, pacific islander, british empire, polynesia, explorers
## Omai arrives in England
In 1774, a young man named Mai arrived in England after joining Captain James Cook's second expedition.
## Reynolds paints Omai
Two years after Mai's landing, painter Joshua Reynolds created a nearly 8-foot-tall portrait of the Pacific Islander.
## Getty acquires portrait
The Getty Center and National Portrait Gallery bought the painting for US$61 million in 2023, displaying it in Los Angeles from Sept. 15, 2026.
## Omai's background
Mai was from Raiatea, where he fled after his father was killed by invaders from Bora Bora.
## Omai's journey
Cook transported Mai to England, where Europeans called him 'Omai' after conflating the Tahitian 'o' with his name.
## Omai's purpose
Mai wanted British firepower to retake his homeland after being displaced from Raiatea.
## Banks' role
Joseph Banks, a wealthy naturalist, promoted Omai as a noble to gain social status and influence in England.
## Reynolds' portrait
Reynolds modeled Omai after Roman senators, dressing him in robes that blended Tahitian tapa cloth with Roman flair.
## Omai's legacy
Omai died in 1779 after using British firearms to defeat Bora Borans, becoming one of the first Pacific Islanders to wield Western weapons.
## Cultural impact
Omai inspired a 1785 stage show where he was portrayed as a prince falling in love with an Englishwoman named Londina.
## Omai's story ends
Omai died in 1779 after using British firearms to defeat Bora Borans, becoming one of the first Pacific Islanders to wield Western weapons.
## Key takeaway

Americans can view Joshua Reynolds' 1776 portrait of Omai, a Pacific Islander who visited England in 1774.