Jacques Arago: Tattoo Traditions of Hawaii October 28, 2006

Jacques Etienne Victoire Arago (1790-1855), the official artist on the French vessel 'Uranie' under the command of Louis de Freycinet, was the most prolific artist to visit the Hawaiian Islands. In addition to sketching portraits on the spot, he often entertained with juggling and magic tricks. He spent the majority of his days ashore, a fact evidenced not only in his journals but in the large number of illustrations he created. Over forty original Arago drawings were donated to the Honolulu Academy of Arts by Mrs. Frances Damon Holt in memory of John Dominis Holt in 1995-96.