Artwork
Henry Carey (1596–1661), Second Earl of Monmouth
Henry Carey (1596–1661), Second Earl of Monmouth is an unspecified painting by Samuel Cooper. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The artwork is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, representing a significant example of 17th-century English portraiture.
Samuel Cooper's 1649 miniature portrait depicts Henry Carey, Second Earl of Monmouth. Executed on vellum, this small-scale painting captures a prominent figure of the English nobility. The artwork is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, representing a significant example of 17th-century English portraiture. Cooper was recognized as a leading practitioner of the miniature form during his era.
Subject & Meaning
Henry Carey, Second Earl of Monmouth, is presented with an earnest demeanor, his features framed by curly hair and a dark beard. The artist focuses intently on the sitter's face, which emerges from a plain background. His attire, a dark coat with a visible white collar, is typical of the period, emphasizing the subject's status and presence through a direct, unadorned portrayal.
Technique & Style
Samuel Cooper's refined approach to miniature painting is evident in this oval portrait. He employs subtle gradations of shadow to render the subject's face with a sense of three-dimensionality, a common artistic strategy in 17th-century portraiture to enhance realism. This precise execution, characteristic of Cooper's work, allows for an intimate yet detailed representation within the miniature format.
Context
Samuel Cooper was a preeminent English miniature painter of his time, known for his meticulous and sophisticated style. His artistic lineage included his elder brother, Alexander Cooper, who also specialized in miniature portraits. This familial connection highlights a tradition of highly skilled miniature artists contributing to the visual culture of 17th-century England, with Samuel often considered the more celebrated of the two.
Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Cooper (1609 – 5 May 1672), sometimes spelt Samuel Cowper, was an English miniature painter. He was the younger brother of Alexander Cooper.
