Old Master & British Drawings

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Lot 213
  • 213

Richard Cooper

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description

  • Richard Cooper
  • An album from a Continental Grand Tour

  • Various media including: brown wash, pen and brown ink, pen and black ink, red chalk, watercolour, pencil, and soft ground etching, bound in a nineteenth century red leather and gold stamped album;
    two-hundred and ninety-three signed Richard Cooper or RC, five works by other hands

  • Largest 266 by 37 mm
including two-hundred and seventeen views of Italy, including Venice, Rome, The Tiber, St. Peter's, Cardinal Albano's Villa, Raphael's Villa, Naples, Vesuvius and Tivoli; one-hundred and twelve views of England, including Kew Palace, Windsor Castle, Burlington House, Chiswick, Richmond Hill, Plymouth and Eastbourne, nineteen views of Scotland, including The Clyde, and Loch-End near Edinburgh amongst others  



 

Provenance

By descent from the artist to the present owner

Condition

The vast majority of sheets within this album are in a very well preserved state. Some have suffered from minor paper discolouration and occasional fox marks. In general the medium has remained strong and clear. The nineteenth century leather album in which the drawings are contained is somewhat worn. There are some loses to the leather and many scratches.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Richard Cooper was the son of the engraver Richard Cooper (c. 1696-1764) and Ann Lind (d. 1775). Born in Edinburgh, he trained under his father until 1758. He then travelled to Paris to learn from the French engraver Jacques Philippe Le Bas (1707-1783). By 1761 he was living in London and exhibiting drawings and engravings at the Society of Artists. During the early 1760s he toured Spain but by 1786 he had returned to England to take up the position of drawings master at Eton.

Cooper then travelled to Italy in 1771 and was not to return until 1778. Information relating to his Grand Tour is sparse. He is understood to have been acquainted with fellow Scot Jacob More (1740-1793) whilst in Rome. He apparently enjoyed the patronage of Sir William Hamilton (1731-1803) whilst in Naples, and there are references to him travelling with a Thomas Merriman between 1771 and 1772.

Upon his return to Britain Cooper settled in Charles Street, Westminster and married Frances Ramsay. He exhibited work at the Royal Academy between 1778 and 1809 and was drawing master to the Prince Regent's daughter, Prince Charlotte (1796-1817).