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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

The hand of Captain Cook

Google Arts and Culture
Learning resources

Take a close look at a portrait with a hidden message in its hands. For Year 7 – 9 students.

William Bligh
William Bligh
William Bligh

William Bligh, c. 1776

John Webber
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2015

Captain Cook

'The photojournalists of their time'
Portrait story

An exploration of the role of artists such as John Webber who, whilst a member of Cook’s crew over many voyages, created paintings and drawings of the situations and people the explorers encountered.

The Death of Captain Cook
The Death of Captain Cook
The Death of Captain Cook

The Death of Captain Cook, 1784

Francesco Bartolozzi, William Byrne after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

Captain James King, engraving after Webber
Captain James King, engraving after Webber
Captain James King, engraving after Webber

Captain James King, engraving after Webber, 1784

Francesco Bartolozzi after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber
Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber
Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber

Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber, 1784

Francesco Bartolozzi after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Capturing Cook

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2003

In focussing on the importance of gifts in the building of the collection, prominence must be given to the most spectacular of the National Portrait Gallery's acquisitions; the portrait of Captain James Cook RN by John Webber R.A.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN, 1782

John Webber
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased by the Commonwealth Government with the generous assistance of Robert Oatley AO and John Schaeffer AO 2000

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency