John A. Cook

American (1870-1936)

Cape Ann watercolorist John A. Cook (1870-1936) was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts and found his first artistic inspiration at age eight by observing a sketching group led by renowned American artist William Morris Hunt. He pursued his artistic interests in Boston as a student of Joseph Decamp, E.L. Major, and Douglas Volk. Following his return to Gloucester, Cook focused on the depiction of harbor and waterfront scenes, subjects for which he gained critical recognition, and earned membership in numerous area art clubs, including the Rockport Art Association, the Boston Art Club, the Gloucester Society of Artists, and the American Federation of Artists. Throughout his career, Cook exhibited at the Boston Art Club and the Society of Independent Artists.