Portrait of Omai was part of the estate of Sir George Howard who died in 1984.

BBC: Portrait Of Omai

Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Omai was on display at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire for more than 200 years until it was sold at Sotheby's in 2001.

BBC: Portrait Of Omai

Omai was discovered by explorers on an island near Tahiti and brought back to England in 1774, where his exotic looks and refined manner were reported to have caused a sensation.

BBC: Portrait Of Omai