Nicholas Pocock

Nicholas Pocock (2 March 1740 – 9 March 1821) was an English artist who specialised in marine art, in both oils and watercolour.

Birth and early career at sea Pocock was born in Bristol in 1740, the son of a seaman. 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 logbooks.

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. Two of his grandsons, Alfred Downing Fripp and George Arthur Fripp, were also artists.

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.

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