Pocock was born in Bristol in 1740, the son of a seaman.[1] He followed his father's profession and was master of a merchant ship by the age of 26. During his time at sea, he became a skilled artist by making ink and wash sketches of ships and coastal scenes for his log books.
Painting career
In 1778, Pocock's employer, Richard Champion, became financially insolvent due to the effects of the American Revolutionary War on transatlantic trade. As a result, Pocock gave up the sea and devoted himself to painting. The first of his works were exhibited by the Royal Academy in 1782.[1]
Later that year, Pocock was commissioned to produce a series of paintings illustrating George Rodney's victory at the Battle of the Saintes.[1] In 1789, he moved to London, where his reputation and contacts continued to grow. He was a favourite of Samuel Hood and was appointed Marine Painter to King George.
Pocock's naval paintings incorporated extensive research, including interviewing eyewitnesses about weather and wind conditions as well as the positions, condition, and appearance of their ships; and drawing detailed plans of the battle and preliminary sketches of individual ships. He was also present himself at the Glorious First of June in 1794, on board the frigate HMS Pegasus.
In addition to his large-scale oil paintings depicting naval battles, Pocock also produced many watercolours of coastal and ship scenes.
Family
Pocock married Ann Evans of Bristol in 1780; together they had eight children. His son Isaac was an artist and dramatist, his second son William Innes Pocock was a Royal Navy Officer and marine artist.[2] Two of his grandsons, Alfred Downing Fripp and George Arthur Fripp, were also artists.
Death
His wall memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Cookham (left), beside those of his daughter in law Frances Ashwell (top right) and his son George (bottom right).
He died on 9 March 1821 at the home of his oldest son, Isaac, in Raymead in the parish of Cookham, near Maidenhead, and is buried in the parish church there.
^Ford, Davis Nash (2008). "William Innes Pocock (1783-1836)". Royal Berkshire History. Retrieved 11 April 2021. Edited from Sidney Lee's 'Dictionary of National Biography' (1896).
Bibliography
Chatterton, E. Keble (1967). Old Ship Prints. London: Spring Books. OCLC 248152337.
Further reading
Cordingly, David (1986). Nicholas Pocock, 1740-1821. London: Conway Press. ISBN0870219936.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nicholas Pocock.
51 artworks by or after Nicholas Pocock at the Art UK site
May 01, 2023
nicholas, pocock, english, academic, cleric, historian, march, 1740, march, 1821, english, artist, known, many, detailed, paintings, naval, battles, during, sail, engraving, pocock, edward, scriven, pocock, bird, view, painting, battle, copenhagen, 1801, conte. For the English academic and cleric see Nicholas Pocock historian Nicholas Pocock 2 March 1740 9 March 1821 was an English artist known for his many detailed paintings of naval battles during the age of sail Engraving of Pocock by Edward Scriven Pocock s bird s eye view painting of the Battle of Copenhagen 1801 Contents 1 Birth and early career at sea 2 Painting career 3 Family 4 Death 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Bibliography 6 Further reading 7 External linksBirth and early career at sea EditPocock was born in Bristol in 1740 the son of a seaman 1 He followed his father s profession and was master of a merchant ship by the age of 26 During his time at sea he became a skilled artist by making ink and wash sketches of ships and coastal scenes for his log books Painting career EditIn 1778 Pocock s employer Richard Champion became financially insolvent due to the effects of the American Revolutionary War on transatlantic trade As a result Pocock gave up the sea and devoted himself to painting The first of his works were exhibited by the Royal Academy in 1782 1 Later that year Pocock was commissioned to produce a series of paintings illustrating George Rodney s victory at the Battle of the Saintes 1 In 1789 he moved to London where his reputation and contacts continued to grow He was a favourite of Samuel Hood and was appointed Marine Painter to King George Landscape with figures Museo del Prado Pocock s naval paintings incorporated extensive research including interviewing eyewitnesses about weather and wind conditions as well as the positions condition and appearance of their ships and drawing detailed plans of the battle and preliminary sketches of individual ships He was also present himself at the Glorious First of June in 1794 on board the frigate HMS Pegasus In addition to his large scale oil paintings depicting naval battles Pocock also produced many watercolours of coastal and ship scenes Family EditPocock married Ann Evans of Bristol in 1780 together they had eight children His son Isaac was an artist and dramatist his second son William Innes Pocock was a Royal Navy Officer and marine artist 2 Two of his grandsons Alfred Downing Fripp and George Arthur Fripp were also artists Death Edit His wall memorial in Holy Trinity Church Cookham left beside those of his daughter in law Frances Ashwell top right and his son George bottom right He died on 9 March 1821 at the home of his oldest son Isaac in Raymead in the parish of Cookham near Maidenhead and is buried in the parish church there References EditNotes Edit a b c Chatteron 1967 p 106 Ford Davis Nash 2008 William Innes Pocock 1783 1836 Royal Berkshire History Retrieved 11 April 2021 Edited from Sidney Lee s Dictionary of National Biography 1896 Bibliography Edit Chatterton E Keble 1967 Old Ship Prints London Spring Books OCLC 248152337 Further reading EditCordingly David 1986 Nicholas Pocock 1740 1821 London Conway Press ISBN 0870219936 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nicholas Pocock 51 artworks by or after Nicholas Pocock at the Art UK site Pocock biography Another Pocock biography Pocock paintings at the National Maritime Museum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nicholas Pocock amp oldid 1126218131, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
