Captain James Cook.

THE FIRST SEPARATELY ISSUED PORTRAIT

First edition, first issue. Framed and glazed. Very good, trimmed to the plate with an old crease. Image measuring 295 by 240mm. London, J.K. Sherwin, 20th April

Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, this first separately issued portrait of Cook was published just two months after his death at Kealekakua Bay. This is the first published edition, following two proofs before and after letters.

 

Commissioned by Joseph Banks, Dance painted this portrait in 1776, only a month or so before Cook set out on his third and final voyage. It was reproduced hundreds of times (Beddie lists 284 different entries) and has become the standard portrait of Cook, in full captain's dress. He sit with a map of the southern hemisphere, his hand pointing to the east coast of Australia, which is clearly marked New Holland.

 

In his 1786 account of the death of Cook, David Samwell described him thus: “His person was above six feet high, and though a good looking man, he was plain both in address and appearance. His head was small, his hair, which was dark brown, he wore tied behind. His face was full of expression, his nose exceedingly well shaped, his eyes which were of a brown cast, were quick and piercing: his eyebrows prominent, which gave his countenance altogether an air of austerity.” Dance has clearly captured this in his portrait, which Samwell himself described as "a most excellent likeness." Beddie, 3380.

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Stock Code: 227582