Original works of art

One of the best known of English sporting artists from the first half of the nineteenth century, Abraham Cooper was largely self-taught. He received encouragement and a number of lessons from the well known sporting artist, Benjamin Marshall.

Cooper was predominately a painter of horses but executed several dog portraits. A high finish and rich naturalistic colouring, as well as a strict attention to anatomy characterise his work. Several important artists studied under him, including John Frederick Herring and William Barraud. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1817, becoming known as "Horse" Cooper. He exhibited 332 paintings there between 1812 and 1869.