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The Royal Society medal in commemoration of Captain James Cook

1784
Lewis Pingo

silver medal (4.2 cm x 4.2 cm depth 0.5 cm)

Lewis Pingo’s Royal Society Medal is the Society’s formal memorial to Cook. The commissioning of the medal was largely thanks to Sir Joseph Banks, who personally supervised its production and distribution to coincide with the publication of the narrative of the tragic third voyage.

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

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Captain Cook

'The photojournalists of their time'

Portrait story: 2 minutes

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 portraits of Captain Cook'

An interview with Betty Churcher

Portrait story: 3 minutes

Betty Churcher describes the creation of the portrait of Captain James Cook in the National Portrait Gallery.

Listen: James Cook

In their own words

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The Royal Society medal in commemoration of Captain James Cook