A.D. COOPER- ARTIST, San Jose , California 1892

From the Commemorative Edition January 1, 1892, San Jose Daily Mercury

MEN WE ALL KNOW
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Biographical Sketches of Well-Known San Joseans
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THE STORY OF THEIR SUCCESS.

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A.D. Cooper

The well-known and popular artist was born at St. Louis, Mo., December 23,
1856. Both of his parents were amateur artists, his father following for a
livelihood the profession of medicine, being a well-known surgeon of St.
Louis. The artistic instinct was born in Mr. Cooper. When only 6 years of
age he began to draw and paint, and long before his education was completed
at the Washington University in his native city, his work as an artist was
known and recognized by those competent to judge good drawing and coloring.
Among his preceptors in painting were such men as J.R. Mecker and
Patterson. Mr. Cooper mastered the trade of watch-making, studied
wood-engraving, but finally devoted all his time to art. From St. Louis he
went to Colorado; then north, among the Indians of Montana and Wyoming,
painting the pictures of many characteristic paintings of members of
different tribes. Coming to California in 1875, he shortly afterward
painted his first picture of note, the allegorical painting of California
which has probably been more extensively photographed than any other
painting produced in this State. A youthful female face, lovely beyond
compare, typifies this exceedingly beautiful State whose development is as
yet only in its infancy.

Other works of a high order followed in rapid succession, among which were;
Tanhausser and Venus, Cleopatra's Barge Cupid and Psyche and the Dance to
Hell, Mr. Cooper's forte is nude figures. His anatomy is correct, his
coloring exquisite, and his faces have a purity and sweetness of expression
which rob is pictures of all suggestiveness. Exceedingly versatile, he
paints with equal success portraits, landscapes or allegorical studies, and
his productions command a ready sale here and in the East.

It is now more that three years ago since Mr. Cooper located permanently in
San Jose, where he has made for himself a host of friends who take delight
in a visit to his pleasant studios.

transcribed by jchavnar

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