Richard Cooper, the elder
Richard Cooper the elder (1701–1764) was an English engraver, who for most of his career worked in Edinburgh.
Life
Cooper was born in London, and studied engraving under John Pine. On the death of his father he was able to visit Italy where he spent several years, studying the masters, becoming a competent artist, and forming a collection of drawings and prints.[1]
On his return to England Cooper went with a Mr. Guthrie, to Edinburgh where he settled as an engraver. He built a house in St. John Street, which he decorated with his own pictures. He took on apprentices including Robert Strange.[1]
Cooper died in 1764, and was buried in the Canongate churchyard, Edinburgh.[1]
Works
Cooper is best known for his contemporary portraits. Among his line engravings were:[1]
- John Taylor the oculist, after William de Nune;
- William Carstares and Andrew Allan, both after W. Robinson;
- Hew Dalrymple, Lord North Berwick, after William Aikman;
- John Napier, the inventor of logarithms;
- George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys, and others.
He also engraved in mezzotint, examples being:[1]
- Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, after Aikman;
- John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair, after Godfrey Kneller;
- Lady Wallace, and others.
Cooper engraved anatomical plates for the Edinburgh Medical Essays, and book-plates, and other similar compositions.[1]
Family
About 1738 Cooper married Ann Lind, by whom he left a son, Richard Cooper the younger, who followed his father's profession.[1]
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Cooper, Richard (d.1764)". Dictionary of National Biography. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
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External links
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Cooper, Richard (d.1764)". Dictionary of National Biography. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co.