Sir Joshua Reynolds’ spectacular Portrait of Mai holds a pivotal place in global art history, depicting the first Polynesian to visit Britain, and is widely regarded as the finest portrait by one of Britain’s greatest artists. Formerly known as “Omai” in England, Mai (c. 1753-1779) was a native of Raiatea, an island now part of French Polynesia, who traveled to England as part of Captain James Cook’s second voyage. He spent the years 1774-76 in London, where he was received by royalty and the intellectual elite, and indeed became something of a celebrity. Mai returned to his homeland in 1777 and died there two years later.

On its tour, the portrait came first to Bradford, the UK’s City of Culture in 2025. The painting was on display in Cartwright Hall Art Gallery as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, from 22 May to 17 August. Mai then travelled to The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, where it will feature in an exhibition jointly produced with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthroplogy. Finally, the portrait will journey to The Box in Plymouth, close to where Sir Joshua Reynolds was born in nearby Plympton. The portrait will be displayed alongside a programme exploring Captain Cook’s voyages and the colonial history of the South Pacific.