Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Abraham Cooper
19th Century sporting horse portrait oil painting of a chestnut hunter

1850

$7,222.20
£5,300
€6,246.59
CA$9,939.81
A$11,078.95
CHF 5,812.75
MX$135,292.10
NOK 73,602.02
SEK 69,565.10
DKK 46,620.99

About the Item

Abraham Cooper RA British, (1787-1868) A Surrey Hunter Oil on canvas, signed with monogram & dated 1850, further inscribed bottom left Image size: 24 inches x 29 inches Size including frame: 29.5 inches x 34.5 inches A fine sporting horse portrait painting of a chestnut hunter by Abraham Cooper. A saddled horse is depicted standing outside a stable block facing left towards open fields. His head is slightly turned towards the viewer to reveal a diamond shaped white mark on his forehead. Although the name of the horse has been sadly lost over time, the inscription on the bottom left tells us that he was owned by Mr C Webb and was aged 22 years at the time of the painting, suggesting he was foaled around 1828. Given the inscription, the owner most likely commissioned the portrait to commemorate the horse’s longstanding achievement as a hunter and favourite riding companion. Abraham Cooper was born in Holborn, London on 8 September, 1787 to Alexander and Susanna Cooper. His father was an inn keeper and the family lived at Red Lion Street in Holborn. Although little is recorded about his early education, he is known to have started working at Astley’s Amphitheatre at the age of 13 before becoming a groom for the brewer Henry Meux. His close work with horses inspired him to learn how to paint and he began producing paintings of the horses in his care. Encouraged by Meux, he became a pupil of the animal painter Benjamin Marshall (1768-1835) who took him into his studio. Under Marshall’s tutelage he flourished as an artist and developed a lifelong interest in historical scenes particularly of battles, which earned him the nickname ‘Battle Cooper’. In 1812, he made his debut at Royal Academy (RA) in 1812, becoming a prolific exhibitor there. In the same year he also began exhibiting at the British Institute. He married Maria Goom on the 23 April, 1813. The couple lived in Robert Street, Holborn and went on to have 3 children together. Their son Alfred William Cooper (1829-1916) studied at the RA and became a well-known artist and illustrator. By 1817, he had moved to New Millman Street in Holborn where he remained for over 30 years. In 1817, he was made Associate of the Royal Academy and in 1820 was elected fully Academician. In 1853, a few years after the death of his first wife, he married Francis McArthy D’Ebro a widow and the daughter of an artist. The couple continued living at Cooper’s home in Millman Street until sometime after 1861 when they moved to Woodbine Cottage, Woodland Street, Greenwich. Cooper died aged 81 at his home in Woodland Street on 24 December, 1868. He was buried at Highgate Cemetery. Examples of his work can be found in many public collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Cromwell Museum, English Heritage, Government Art Collection, Harris Museum, National Trust, The Wilson, V&A and Yale Center for British Art. A number of his papers including sketches, correspondence and photographs of him can be found at the RA. Presentation: The work is housed in its original gilt frame which is in excellent condition. Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished. © Benton Fine Art
  • Creator:
    Abraham Cooper (1787-1868, British)
  • Creation Year:
    1850
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Nr Broadway, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU156216708852

More From This Seller

View All
19th century sporting oil painting of hunting dogs going over a hedge
By Alfred Duke
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
Alfred Duke British, (c1860-1905) Over the Hedge Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 13.5 inches x 20.5 inches Size including frame: 20.75 inches x 27.75 inches An animated sporting...
Category

19th Century Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pair of 19th Century sporting oil paintings of terrier dogs
By Edward Armfield
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
**PLEASE NOTE: EACH PAINTING INCLUDING THE FRAME MEASURES 22.25 INCHES x 18.25 INCHES** Edward Armfield British, (1857-1935) The Rat Trap & Under the Wheelbarrow Oil on canvas, pair...
Category

19th Century Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Horse portrait oil painting of a fleabitten grey horse in a stable
By George Wright
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
George Wright British, (1860-1944) Fleabitten Grey Horse in a Stable Oil on canvas, signed, old label verso Image size: 15.5 inches x 21.25 inches Size including frame: 22.75 inche...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Horse portrait oil painting of a chestnut hunter in a stable
By George Wright
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
George Wright British, (1860-1944) Chestnut Hunter in a Stable Oil on canvas, signed, old label verso Image size: 15.5 inches x 21.25 inches Size including frame: 22.75 inches x 28...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sporting oil painting of hunters & hounds
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
John Sanderson-Wells British, (1872-1955) Gone to Ground Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 15.5 inches x 23.5 inches Size including frame: 21.75 inches x 29.75 inches A well painte...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sporting oil painting of a hunter & hounds
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
John Sanderson-Wells British, (1872-1955) Gone Away Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 15.5 inches x 23.5 inches Size including frame: 21.75 inches x 29.75 inches An animated sporti...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like

"Victorian Country Farmyard Scene", Summer landscape, figures, oil on canvas
Located in Naples, Florida
This is an original unique oil painting, signed by the artist.
Category

19th Century Victorian Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"A River Landscape with Wild Horses", Victorian original, oil on canvas
By John Frederick Herring Jr
Located in Naples, Florida
This is an original unique oil painting by the artist. Born into an artistic family in Doncaster, England during 1820. Best known for his equine art, of the same character as those of the elder Herring, including "The Home Farm," "The Homestead," "The Farm-Yard," etc.John F. Herring, Jr. was born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire c.1820, to the well-known 19th-century artist John Frederick Herring, Sr. (1795-1865), who at the time, was considered one of England's great Sporting and Equestrian artists, patronized by the English aristocracy. The father's mastery of the brush, and popularity with the nobility, served his son, Herring, Jr., well. Early on, John, Jr. was exposed to fine painting and wealthy patrons. Recent reference books state that Herring, Sr.'s first child was named "John Frederick Herring, Jr." and was born on June 21, 1815. John Herring, Jr. developed a love for painting, a passion also shared by his brothers Charles and Benjamin. Three of the four brothers became artists, painting in the same style as their father, often collaborating on a single painting. In the years after 1836, Herring, Sr., feeling threatened by the teenage John Herring, Jr.'s ability and growing popularity, began incorporating the tag "SR" at the end of his signature. John Herring, Jr. continued painting in the tradition of his father, the sporting and animal pictures...
Category

19th Century Victorian Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

19th century English portrait of a Collie Dog seated in an Interior
Located in Woodbury, CT
This charming portrait of a Collie dog by Frederick French, painted circa 1896, captures the loyal and calm nature of one of the most beloved breeds. French's delicate attention to d...
Category

1890s Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

19th century English interior barn scene with a family of goats and baby goats.
By Abraham Cooper
Located in Woodbury, CT
This captivating early 19th-century painting of an interior farm scene by Abraham Cooper, circa 1830, is a testament to the artist's skill in capturing ...
Category

1830s Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A French Chasseur a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale, drinking outside a Inn or Pub
By Frank Moss Bennett
Located in Woodbury, CT
A French Chasseur a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale, drinking outside an Inn or Pub. Frank Moss Bennett was born in Liverpool, England on 15 November 1...
Category

1890s Victorian Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Panel

Victorian English 19th century farm yard scene with Shire Horses and a couple
By William Edward Millner
Located in Woodbury, CT
William Edward Millner was born in 1849 in Lincolnshire, and was a Victorian painter of landscapes and rustic genre. He worked his entire life ...
Category

1870s Victorian Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas