Samuel Cooper 1609-1672

Samuel Cooper, described by Aubrey as the 'prince of limners of his day,' is still justly regarded as one of the finest English portrait painters of the seventeenth century. Foskett gives a brief survey of Cooper's life and assesses the unique position held by the artist during a difficult period of British history. Born in the reign of Charles I, Cooper achieved fame during the Commonwealth - his miniature of Cromwell, warts and all, is one of his best-known works - and he remained in favour during the Restoration, when Charles II appointed him King's Limner.