Edward William Cooke, R.A.

Commissioned by Mr A Warren Smith
Sale, Christie's London, 24th September 1876, lot 57
Where purchased by Edward William Cooke Esq.
With George Boulton Esq by 1902
Sale, Christie's London, 13th December 1902, lot 52
Miss Louisa Cook
A.W.M Marshall
Private Collection

John Munday, E.W. Cooke, A Man of his Time, 1996, p.327

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined and is stable. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is in generally, good condition with some light specks of surface dirt, upper left. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV light reveals a spot of retouching off the lower central border and to the sky, lower right. Otherwise original condition. FRAME Held in the original gilt slip frame in fair condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Calais Harbour held a great fascination for Cooke and he returned to paint it on numerous occasions throughout his career.  To navigate a vessel through the narrow channel would have demanded accomplished seamanship, especially when battling the near gale force conditions that the sloop is facing in the present work.  This tense and dramatic scene provided ideal subject matter for Cooke; judging by the crowded pier in the present work, it also proved compelling viewing for the townsfolk.

The composition is based on a painting from 1839, Calais Pier, sloop returning to port (private collection), although the elements are slightly less foreboding in the earlier version.  This earlier version was exhibited at the British Institution in 1840.  The Art Union Journal reviewed it as,

One of the best works in the exhibition a work of which the English school may be justly proud.  It is as true to nature as Nature to herself.  Mr Cooke has this year established his reputation: he exhibits largely and without an exception all his products are excellent.  The drawing, in which so many of our artists are dificient, is faultless...They may be placed without fear beside the best works of the Old Dutch Masters.

Cooke himself clearly held such compositions in similarly high regard.  When The Art Journal published his biography in 1869, he chose another similar view, French Lugger running into Calais (private collection USA), from 1854, as the accompanying illustration.  

Cooke's faith in the present work is perhaps most clearly demonstrated by his purchasing the work at auction in 1876 from Mr Warren Smith, who originally commissioned it.  Such a vivid, yet meticulously portrayed scene, would have held immense appeal to the Victorian collector; it is a mark of Cooke's shrewd judgement of the market that he produced a nyumber of versions of it.  It also demonstrates his unfailing ability - that in 1875, just five years before his death, he was producing works of such quality. 

We are grateful to John Munday for his assistance in cataloguing this work.