Captain James Cook, ca. 1784

Artist: Dance, Nathaniel (1735-1811)
Engraver: Sherwin, John Keyse (ca. 1751-1790)

Medium: Etching and engraving (proof before title) on laid paper

Dimensions: 35.1 x 28 cm (sheet)

James Cook (1728-1779), British naval officer and surveyor, made three important voyages to the Pacific, the third of which took him to the west coast of Canada. He arrived in Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island in March 1778 where his crew took on supplies and traded with the native people. After being turned back by the arctic icepack, he travelled to Hawaii where he was killed by islanders. An account of Cook's voyages was published beginning in 1786 and includes engraved charts, maps and views, as well as this portrait of him.

The painting from which this print is copied is in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England. This copy of the print was made before the title was added and with the artist's and engraver's names only lightly engraved and was printed so that the engraver could check the progress of his work.

National Archives of Canada, negative no. C-017726