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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.

Captain James Cook RN / Search /

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

James Cook

In their own words

In their own words

Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales

Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales

Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales

Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales, 1839

G E. Madeley after John Lhotsky

Portrait, lithograph on paper

Purchased 2018

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.

'The portraits of Captain Cook'

An interview with Betty Churcher

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

Captain Cook

'The photojournalists of their time'

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.

Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook, 1837

William Holl, Fisher, Son & Co London after Nathaniel Dance

Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook)

View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook)

View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook)

View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook), 1787-1788

Francis Jukes after John Cleveley

Portrait, aquatint, hand coloured on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2012

Cook

Cook

Cook

Cook, n.d.

an unknown artist after Antoine Maurin

Portrait, engraving, hand coloured on paper

Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital

Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital

Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital

Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital, c. 1837

William Holl, Peter Jackson, London & Paris after Nathaniel Dance

Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres

Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres

Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres

Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres, c. 1778

Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Gina and Ted Gregg 2010

Captain James Cook FRS

Captain James Cook FRS

Captain James Cook FRS

Captain James Cook FRS, 1784

Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Gina and Ted Gregg 2010

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Thrown together

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Shipmates for years, James Cook and Joseph Banks each kept a journal but neither man shed light on their relationship.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Cook in context

Magazine article by Diana Warnes, 2007

Robert Oatley's continuing benefaction has helped the National Portrait Gallery acquire works that add another layer to the story of Captain Cook.

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

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

Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook

Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook

Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook

Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook, 1779

Wedgwood and Bentley

Portrait, white on blue Jasper Ware in oval shaped wood and gilt frame

Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

© 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