Samuel Cooper

Samuel Cooper was a prolific portrait artist active from 1630 to 1672. His documented artistic output focuses heavily on biographical studies of prominent 17th-century figures.

The significance of Cooper’s work is established through its presence in major international collections, including the Rijksmuseum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Ten works attributed to the artist are cited in reference databases, consisting of eight paintings and two other defined pieces. The consistency and detail displayed in these compositions confirm their museum-quality status.

Notable examples of his specific portraiture include the works George Gordon (1592-1649), tweede markies van Huntley and Henry Carey (1596–1661), Second Earl of Monmouth. He also executed several dedicated portraits of women and men, such as Portrait of a Woman and Portrait of a Man, focusing on individual characterization.

Today, many original Samuel Cooper paintings have been digitally archived, expanding access to his catalog. This process allows researchers and the public to access downloadable artwork, with many high-quality prints being generated from resources within the public domain.