Artwork
Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Lucy Percy (1600?–1660), Countess of Carlisle
Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Lucy Percy (1600?–1660), Countess of Carlisle is an unspecified painting by Samuel Cooper. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cooper, a leading English artist of his time, rendered the subject with characteristic detail and refinement, capturing her likeness within a compact format.
This small oval portrait, attributed to Samuel Cooper, depicts a woman believed to be Lucy Percy, Countess of Carlisle. Created in 1653, it exemplifies the miniature painting genre, a popular form of portraiture during the 17th century. Cooper, a leading English artist of his time, rendered the subject with characteristic detail and refinement, capturing her likeness within a compact format. The artwork is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Lucy Percy, Countess of Carlisle, a notable figure who lived from approximately 1600 to 1660. Her serene expression and direct gaze convey a sense of composure. Miniatures often served as intimate personal objects, exchanged between loved ones or carried as tokens of affection and remembrance, suggesting a private rather than public function for this depiction of the Countess.
Technique & Style
Samuel Cooper's mastery of miniature painting is evident in this detailed work. The artist employed soft shading to create a smooth, three-dimensional quality in the sitter's pale face. Her light brown hair is meticulously curled, complementing her simple white collar and dark dress. Against a plain black background, the figure is rendered with clarity, her features subtly highlighted to achieve a refined and lifelike representation within the small oval format.
Context
Samuel Cooper was a prominent English miniature painter during the 17th century, recognized for his skill in capturing individual likenesses on a small scale. His refined approach to portraiture distinguished him among his contemporaries, including his elder brother, Alexander Cooper, who was also an artist. This period saw a demand for portable and intimate portraits, a niche that Cooper expertly filled, contributing significantly to the era's visual culture.
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.
