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John Webber Most Popular Paintings

The 18 artworks by John Webber our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 18 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide John Webber · 1751 – 1793

Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound

1788 · Te Papa, Wellington

John Webber's 'Ship Cove' captures a pivotal moment in Cook’s voyage – cultural exchange & simmering tension between Māori and British crews. Explore this evocative landscape painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Captain James Cook

1780 · Te Papa, Wellington

John Webber (1751-1793): English artist of Captain Cook's voyages. Renowned for Pacific landscapes, portraits & documenting 18thC exploration. Works in major museums.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Poedua

1777 · National Maritime Museum, London · original 142 x 94 cm

Admire John Webber's captivating Portrait of Poedua (1777), depicting a serene woman adorned with flowers, captured against a tranquil woodland backdrop during Cook’s Pacific Expedition.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$53994 × 142 cm Commission at original size

Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound

1788 · Te Papa, Wellington

Explore John Webber’s ‘Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound’ (1788). A captivating 18th-century landscape revealing Māori trade & colonial tensions. Discover a nuanced story of exploration & cultural exchange.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25236 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Poedua [Poetua], daughter of Oreo, chief of Ulaietea, one of the Society Isles

1785 · Te Papa, Wellington

A captivating portrait by John Webber depicts Poetua, a young Polynesian princess from Raiatea, amidst cultural exchange and historical tension during Captain Cook's voyage. Explore its layers of beauty & complexity.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

William Bligh

1776 · National Portrait Gallery, Canberra · original 95 x 83 cm

A striking 1776 portrait of naval officer William Bligh by John Webber captures the subject in his maritime uniform against a nautical backdrop, offering a rare glimpse into history for collectors to explore.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$38083 × 95 cm Commission at original size

Oil painting of James Cook

1776 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 44.0 x 35.4cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19435 × 44 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Captain James King, commander of Discovery during Cook's third voyage (1782)

1782 · National Library of Australia, Canberra · original 60.9 x 50.8cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23951 × 61 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Poedua, daughter of Orio

1784 · National Gallery of Australia, Canberra · original 144.8 x 93.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$54494 × 145 cm Commission at original size

Burial Ground in the South Sea

1777 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 23.5 x 29.8cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

A Native of Otaheite

1777 · original 46.3 x 36.2cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19736 × 46 cm Commission at original size

The Harbour of Pulo Condere

1786 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 19.7 x 26.7cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Poedua

1777 · original 142 x 94 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$53994 × 142 cm Commission at original size

View of Santa Cruz, Tenerife

1776 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 68.6 x 112.4cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17741 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$374112 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Untitled (AQZC9A)

1777 · original 145 x 96 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$55596 × 145 cm Commission at original size

'A Party from His Majesty’s ships Resolution & Discovery Shooting sea-horses, Latitude 71 North, 1778'

View the most popular artwork of John Webber ranked #16: 'A Party from His Majesty’s ships Resolution & Discovery Shooting sea-horses, Latitude 71 North, 1778'

1784 · original 124.5 x 157.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$52736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1070158 × 125 cm Commission at original size

English A Man of the Sandwich Islands with His Helmet

1830 · National Library of Australia, Canberra · original 75 x 51 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26151 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Untitled (AQZC98)

1800

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 19 artworks by John Webber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

John Webber

1751 – 1793

Quick facts

Born1751, London, United Kingdom
Top-ranked workShip Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound
Topics exploredlandscape
Copyright statusPublic domain
Creative periodslate period
Color intensitybalanced, monochromatic
Emotional tonereflective
Art periodEarly Modern

Biography

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family: John Webber was born on October 6, 1751, in London, United Kingdom. His father, Abraham Wäber, was a Swiss sculptor who anglicized his name upon moving to London and marrying Mary Quant in 1744.
Early Training: Webber received his initial education in Bern, Switzerland, where he lived with his paternal aunt from the age of six. He began his artistic training as an apprentice to Johann Ludwig Aberli, a prominent landscape painter.
Studies in Paris: From 1770, Webber continued his studies at the Académie Royale in Paris for four years, focusing on drawing and oil painting. This period honed his skills and broadened his artistic horizons.
Return to London: After completing his education abroad, Webber returned to London and further refined his techniques at the Royal Academy.

The Pacific Expedition with Captain Cook

Appointment as Artist: In 1776, Webber was selected as the official artist for Captain James Cook's third voyage of discovery in the Pacific. This opportunity arose through a recommendation from Daniel Solander, a botanist who had accompanied Cook on his first voyage.
Voyage and Documentation: From 1776 to 1780, Webber meticulously documented the landscapes, people, and cultures encountered during the expedition. He created numerous drawings and watercolors of scenes in New Zealand, Hawaii (then known as the Sandwich Islands), Alaska, and other Pacific locations.
First European Contact with Hawaii: Webber became the first European artist to make contact with Hawaii, producing significant visual records of the islands and their inhabitants. His watercolor landscapes of Kauai and Hawaii Island, including Kealakekua Bay and Kowroaa village, are particularly notable.
Portraits of Indigenous Peoples: Webber also created portraits of prominent figures like Tereoboo, King of Owyhee, offering valuable insights into the appearance and customs of Pacific Islanders.
Illustrations for Admiralty Account: His work was crucial in illustrating the British Admiralty's official account of the expedition, published in 1784. These engravings brought the discoveries of Cook’s voyage to a wider audience.

Career and Artistic Style

Exhibitions at the Royal Academy: Following his return to England in 1780, Webber exhibited around 50 works at the Royal Academy between 1784 and 1792. His paintings showcased both landscapes and figures.
Recognition and Membership: He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1785 and a full member in 1791, demonstrating his growing reputation within the British art world.
Landscape Focus with Figurative Elements: Webber’s artistic style primarily focused on landscapes, often incorporating figures to add narrative or scale. A notable example is “A Party from H.M.S. Resolution shooting sea horses,” exhibited in 1784.
Influence of Earlier Masters: While his work reflects the influence of earlier landscape painters like Aberli, Webber developed a unique style characterized by detailed observation and accurate representation of natural environments.

Legacy and Collections

Historical Significance: John Webber’s artwork provides invaluable visual documentation of Captain Cook's voyages and the first European encounters with Pacific cultures. His images offer a unique perspective on 18th-century exploration and cultural exchange.
Museum Holdings: His works are held in numerous prestigious collections worldwide, including the Anchorage Museum of History and Art (Alaska), the Bishop Museum (Honolulu), the British Museum (London), the National Maritime Museum (London) ,the Bern Historical Museum (Switzerland), and the San Antonio Museum of Art.
Enduring Impact: Webber’s paintings continue to be studied by art historians, anthropologists, and scholars interested in the history of exploration, Pacific cultures, and 18th-century art. His detailed depictions offer a glimpse into a pivotal period of global interaction.
Death and Remembrance: John Webber died on May 29, 1793, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy that continues to resonate today.

Questions & Answers

Can I browse John Webber's works by movement?

The All Movements page groups John Webber's artworks by art movement.

What other names is John Webber known by?

John Webber is also known as Johann Wãber, R.A. Webber, Weeber, Webber, J. Webber.

How many artworks by John Webber are available to browse?

You can browse 19 artworks by John Webber on the All Artworks page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

John Webber is best known for his artwork documenting which historical event?
Before becoming a renowned artist, where did John Webber receive his initial artistic training?
What was John Webber's role during Captain Cook’s third voyage?
In what year did John Webber become a full member of the Royal Academy?
Webber is credited as being the first European artist to visually document which location?

one You choose the size

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two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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