As his voyages faded from living memory, Cook became the stuff of legend. In the 1970s authoritative editions of voyage journals, and detailed studies of the art and artefacts from the voyages, gradually revealed a nuanced story. Cook had himself been uneasy about the impact of his voyages on peoples of the Pacific.
He has come to embody ideas of civilisation and also colonisation. To some, the voyages led to events which undermined sovereignty and initiated human tragedy. To others, Cook's legacy has been woven more readily into national histories and identities. The question of how perceptions of Cook have evolved since the 1770s continues to inspire artists and fuel debate.
Australia's 150th Anniversary
Australian National Travel Association
Smith and Julius Studios, Sydney
Australia’s 150thAnniversary, Sydney 1938: Pageantry and Carnival 1938
chromolithograph
National Library of Australia, Pictures Collection, nla.cat-vn529834