George Cooke passport and sketchbook, 1826-1831

Summary

Creator:
Cooke, G. (George), 1793-1849
Date:
1826-1831
Extent:
1 Linear Feet (2 folders and 4 oversized folders)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George Cooke passport and sketchbook, ms457, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of a passport and sketchbook belonging to George Cooke. The passport was given to George Cooke by the United States of America, May 18, 1826; the sketchbook contains description pages, "Ancient Costumes, Rome 1828," and sketches of Greek and Roman figures.

Biographical / historical:

George Cooke (1793-1849) typified the ambitious American painter of the early nineteenth century. He began his artistic career as a self-taught itinerant painter in northern Virginia; in 1826 he went to Europe. His exposure to the old masters of the Renaissance and baroque periods encouraged him to try his hand at history painting and landscapes while continuing to derive his livelihood from portraiture. His best-known painting is, "Interior of St. Peters Rome," in the Chapel of the University of Georgia.

For more information, see the article George Cooke (1793-1849) in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

George Cooke passport and sketchbook, ms457, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.