|
facing right in brown coat, white lawn collar, shoulder length brown hair, mottled blue background, gouache on vellum Christie's London. Samuel Cooper was certainly the greatest miniaturist in Europe during the 17th Century and the first to rival Holbein when it came to give resemblence and life to his sitters. This miniature had some historical interest since it represented Sir William Fairfax who was given command of a regiment in 1642 and who commanded detachments at Nantwich and Martson Moor. At the relief of Montgomery Castle, on September 18th 1644, Sir William was mortally wounded and died the following day. However, this miniature was by far not one of Cooper's best works though it went just above the £ 12,000 high estimate. Brother of Alexander Cooper, Samuel trained with his uncle John Hoskins and became a great master who portrayed most of the personages of the English court, notably king Charles II as well as Oliver Cromwell. His works have much force and greatness of conception. |
Home
