This vibrant mid-20th-century oil painting by British artist Alfred Egerton Cooper (1883-1974) depicts a Scottish loch with a family and rowing boat.
Immersed in the tranquillity of glimmering light, a mother and her two children head towards a small boat to join their seated father. Mother’s carrying a basket perhaps laden with lunch.
Ahead of them, a serene loch stretches out like taut silk. While several quaint fishing cottages pepper the distant hill. It’s bliss, with a charming sense of joie de vivre.
The style is reminiscent of the impressionists and also comparable with the approach of John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), Cooper’s tutor. For instance, consider Sargent’s ‘Oranges at Corfu’ and ‘Corfu-Cypresses’. Somehow both artists seem to capture the very essence of joy within their marks.
Much like Sargent, Cooper is remembered primarily for his portraits. He painted Winston Churchill five times along with numerous members of the armed forces. But his landscapes rank as some of the finest of the period and he remains rather underrated. He led a challenging life, losing the sight of one eye during World War I. Yet perhaps it was the process of overcoming this adversity that enabled him to fully appreciate the views before him.
Signed lower left and framed. Previously sold at Bonhams.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 45½” x 30½” / 115cm x 77cm
Year of creation: c. 1950
Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed on the reverse with title (partially illegible) and artist’s name/address.
Provenance: Dr Magdi Obeid (purchased at Bonhams in 2015).
Condition: Artwork presents well. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £24,000.
British artist Alfred Egerton Cooper was primarily known for portraiture but also produced landscapes, murals, and figurative work. He’s celebrated as one of Britain’s finest portrait painters during World War I, having produced numerous works depicting members of the armed forces. He trained at the Royal College of Art and in the studio of John Singer Sargent. His works are held in numerous public collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Government Art Collection, and Imperial War Museum.
Learn more about Alfred Egerton Cooper in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
