C. Cook [Captain James Cook, between 1775 and 1800 / artist unknown]

DG 213

fonds

[between 1775 and 1800]

Graphic Materials, Paintings

844792

Copy print : DG 213
Available on open access in the Mitchell Library Reading Room

1 painting - oil - 28 5/8 x 23 in. inside frame

Purchased by Sir W. Dixson from the Leger Gallery, 1935.

Out of copyright: Creator died before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales

Research notes available in Mitchell Library Reading Room , PXn 183

Information transferred from Pictures Card Catalogue as part of the eRecords Project, 2008-2009

Former title Captain James Cook / William Hodges. Title amended August 2019.

An engraving of Captain James Cook by R. Thornton, similar to this painting, was published in G.W. Anderson, 'New, authentic and complete collection of voyages', 1784. The 1785 edition gives the source of this engraving as ‘from the Original Picture in the Possession of G. W. Anderson’.
Correspondence relating to the acquisition and subsequent conservation of this painting at James Cook papers, 17---1959 (Mitchell Library call no. A 1713/Box 6).
Two photographs before cleaning at P1/Cook-Hodges/9-10. One bears Charles Holmes' opinion on the attribution, in his hand [not located August 2019].
Photograph taken after cleaning, 1957 at P1/Cook-Hodges/11. (N.S.W. Government Printer negative no. 48018) [not located August 2019].

Unsigned and undated. 'C. Cook' in lower right hand corner.

Formerly attributed to William Hodges by Leger Gallery in 1934 because of its resemblance to the 1784 engraving of Captain James Cook by R. Thornton. A letter to the Mitchell Library, 1957, suggests that this painting is possibly by Johan Zoffany (see James Cook papers, 17---1959, Mitchell Library call no. A 1713/Box 6). Attribution amended to unknown artist by Librarian, Collection Strategy & Development in August 2019.

Dated by Librarian, Collection Strategy & Development, based on note by Sir Charles Holmes that the portrait is 'practically contemporaneous with his voyages in the South Seas', in James Cook papers, 17---1959 (Mitchell Library call no. A 1713/Box 6).