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King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
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, 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, 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, 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, 1784
Francesco Bartolozzi after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007
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, 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