EDWARD WILLIAM COOKE (BRITISH, 1811- 1880)
Shipping scene
signed 'E.W Cooke' (along the barrel)
oil on canvas
41 x 69 cm

Provenance:

With The City Gallery where purchased by
Private Collection, U.K, thence by family decent

Edward William Cooke was a prominent English marine painter known for his highly detailed and meticulously executed works. He was born in London.

Cooke studied at the Royal Academy Schools and initially focused on watercolour painting. He became known for his precise and realistic depictions of landscapes, seascapes, and maritime scenes.

One of Cooke's specialties was his portrayal of ships and maritime subjects. He was particularly skilled at rendering the intricate details of ships' rigging, sails, and hulls, as well as capturing the atmospheric effects of light and weather on the sea, often featured coastal scenes, harbors, and shipping activity, reflecting his fascination with the sea and maritime life.

He traveled extensively throughout England and Europe, gathering inspiration for his paintings from the coastal landscapes and seaports he encountered.

Cooke's works were highly regarded during his lifetime, and he received commissions from private collectors, as well as public institutions. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where he gained recognition for his talent and craftsmanship.

Edward William Cooke was born in London and was the son of the respected engraver Geroge Cooke. Edward was brought up in a family of artists, with his uncle, William Bernard Cooke (1778-1855) also a known engraver. From an early stage in his career, he displayed a love of marine subjects. At 18 years old he published a set of engravings titled ‘Shipping and Craft’. In 1834 Cooke started to work with oils and first exhibited at the Royal Academy and British Institution in 1835.