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Secondary sourcePainting1777

James Cook, line engraving by Basire after Hodges

William Hodges · 1777

An oval engraved portrait of Captain James Cook, made from a painting by voyage artist William Hodges.

This engraved portrait, based on a likeness by a voyage artist who sailed with Cook, depicts Cook as a naval officer.

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Oval engraved portrait of Captain James Cook in a naval-style uniform with a high collar and cravat, hair curled at the sides, set within a decorative oval frame. Caption below reads 'Captain James Cook, F.R.S.' with publication credits along the bottom margin.
James Cook. Line engraving by J. Basire, 1777, after W. Hodges. Wellcome Collection, London.

About this source

What it is

This is a line engraving of Captain James Cook, made by J. Basire in 1777 after a portrait by William Hodges, who sailed on Cook's second voyage. It is held by the Wellcome Collection in the United Kingdom.

Why it matters

Because Hodges travelled with Cook and saw him in person, this print is based on a close contemporary likeness rather than imagination. It shows how Cook was presented to the British public as a naval officer and member of the Royal Society soon after his famous voyages.

Look closer

  • What does the uniform and posture suggest about how Cook wanted to be seen, or how others wanted him remembered?
  • Why might an engraving based on a real portrait be more reliable than one made purely from description?
  • What is missing from this formal portrait that a diary or letter might reveal instead?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Cook on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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