James Merrill Cook 1840

"James Merrill Cook" is an oil painting by Nelson Cook, a prominent American portrait painter of the 19th century. Executed in 1840, the painting depicts James Merrill Cook, likely a member of a prominent family, standing in a formal pose. Cook's signature style is evident in the meticulous detail of the sitter's clothing and the subtle rendering of the background, which hints at a grand interior setting. The painting is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and is a notable example of American portraiture from the early 19th century.