Renowned English author Patrick O’Brian (1914-2000) wrote his celebrated 20-novel saga between 1969 and 1999. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the books follow the global adventures of British Naval Captain Jack “Goldilocks” Aubrey, his best friend, Irish/Catalan Doctor Stephen Maturin, and a motley cast of recurring characters. O’Brian departed the earth in 2000, leaving the 21st book an unfinished manuscript. Published in 24 languages, the beloved series has sold over 4 million copies, inspired a blockbuster Hollywood film (Master and Commander, 2003), and gained a devoted worldwide following.

In 2019, publisher W.W. Norton contracted Matthew Benedict to secure the licensing rights for 21 of the artist’s paintings to appear on the covers of their latest paperback re-issue of the series. O’Brian and Benedict were a perfect fit. Literary references, historical maritime painting, and art inspired by historical fiction were already major themes throughout the artist’s work. Although he is not an illustrator by trade, Benedict’s paintings consciously reference the artists of the Golden Age of American Illustration, such as Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, J.C. Leyendecker, and N.C. Wyeth.

Norton’s Head Creative Steve Attardo sought out the artist after coming across his work on instagram. While the traditional, revered paintings of British maritime painter Geoff Hunt have always been associated with the books, Attardo chose to go in a different direction, employing an artist whose work reflects an equally strong tradition; the Golden Age of American Illustration.

Benedict spent the first three years of the pandemic painting and drawing, while simultaneously reading the books and meticulously researching the visual sources of the period, aided by his friend Historian, Author, and Sailor Andrew J. Lyter, Curator of Maritime History at Historic Lewes, Delaware. This project is Benedict’s first and only illustration commission.

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