ABRAHAM COOPER I 05 



Ealing-. The portrait must have been an excellent 

 one for Mr. Meux declared nothinsf should induce 

 him to part with it, and from that time forward 

 he was Cooper's constant friend and patron. 



It was in 1809, when Cooper was in his twenty- 

 second year that he discovered his true vocation ; 

 and he applied himself diligently to study of the 

 rudiments of his art, perusing also the writings of 

 contemporary authorities on painting. The works 

 of Benjamin Marshall, R.A., his senior by twenty 

 years, particularly attracted him, and through his 

 uncle, Mr. Davis, he obtained an introduction to 

 the famous horse-painter. Marshall received him 

 with all the traditional courtesy extended by the 

 old artist to the young, giving him admission to 

 his studio at all times and doing whatever lay in 

 his power to promote his interests. 



Guided and encouraged by Marshall, Cooper 

 pursued his studies assiduously ; each fresh attempt 

 displayed qualities which strengthened his friends 

 in their conviction that he possessed exceptional 

 talent, and thanks to his abilities and his own charm 

 of manner, he continued to extend his acquaintance 

 among the leading artists of the day. Cooper was 

 fortunate in making friends thus early in his career, 

 for however great his own gifts he could not fail to 

 profit by all he saw and heard in the studios of 

 older men who had made their mark as animal 



