Francesco Bartolozzi R.A 1728-1815 after John Webber 1751-1793. Extremely rare stipple engraved portrait of Captain James Cook F.R.S. 1728-1779. Printed in sepia ink, trimmed to oval with areas of foxing and old worming, presented in period gilt gesso frame, the whole in "country house" condition. Published 1784. Oval image 15.5 by 20 cms. 22 by 26.8 cms Frame overall.
The original portrait of Cook was painted by Webber at The Cape of Good Hope in 1776 and has been at The National Portrait Gallery since 1858. Webber collaborated with Bartolozzi to execute his famous depiction of the death of Cook, and the relationship was evidently a happy one, as they also issued this rare oval portrait of Cook. It is fair to say that the original painting of Cook has not met with universal acclaim: Beaglehole Cooks biographer states that on first viewing it Mrs Cook exclaimed 'Who is that low villain?'
Ref. NPG D7854
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