The most significant paintings of the MOD Art Collection are those commissioned by the Admiralty from the artists accompanying the voyages of exploration of Cook and Flinders. The best of these are on loan to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.
Hodges's paintings of the Pacific celebrate British exploration. He was appointed by the Admiralty to record the places discovered on Cook's second voyage, undertaken in the 'Resolution' and 'Adventure', 1772-75.
Cook's main purpose on this expedition was to locate, if possible, the much talked-of but unknown Southern Continent and further expand knowledge of the central Pacific islands.
Hodges' records of coastal profiles were in part important for navigational reasons, this was primarily in the form of drawings, many later converted to engravings in the official account of the voyage.
He also did oil paintings on the voyage but most, especially these larger ones, were painted in London on his return.
This huge painting is Hodges' largest from the voyage and illustrates 'one of the most magnificent sights in the South Sea's. Hodges here depicts three war canoes, part of the Tahitian fleet preparing for a punitive expedition against the neighboring island of Moorea.