May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Astley David Middleton Cooper was born in St Louis, Missouri on December 22, 1856, son of Fannie Clark O’Fallon and Dr. David M. Cooper, a successful surgeon. At an early age, A. D. M. Cooper was influenced by close family friend George Catlin and his paintings of American Indians. After attending Washington University, Cooper traveled throughout the West as an illustrator for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. He was in the West at age twenty during the Custer massacre and became famous as a painter of the Old West and American Indians. In 1879 he moved to San Francisco and became active with the local art association. Upon establishing a studio, he was in demand as a portraitist and painted several studies of General U. S. Grant. In 1883 he moved to East San Jose. As well as a painter, he was also an accomplished violinist and often sat in with local orchestras. In his later years he painted allegorical scenes with semi-nude women and several trompe l'oeil studies. On rare occasions he signed his paintings "A. Dubernet" or "David Middleton." In his more lucid moments, Cooper was capable of producing masterpieces; however, due to his affinity for alcohol his paintings vary in quality. He was known to often pay his saloon debts with his paintings. Cooper died in San Jose, California on September 10, 1924. Among A.D.M Cooper's many famous clients was William Fredrick "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The trompe l'oeil style oil on canvas painting being offered for sale is believed to have been commissioned by Cody. Completed in 1905 and signed A.D.M Cooper, the work features a three dimensional still life of an American Buffalo, with vignettes of American Indian artifacts and weapons. Also featuring carte de visite views of Buffalo Bill Cody and James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok. The Indian portrait located on the left side is identified as Sioux Indian Red Cloud and the image on the right as Indian princess Prairie Flower. The painting is framed with a beautiful 7" wide vintage molding. A.D.M. Coopers paintings have been exhibited at the Mechanics' Institute (San Francisco); Triton Museum (Santa Clara); San Jose Historical Museum; Western Art Museum (Tulsa, OK); Buffalo Bill Historical Center; Stanford Museum; Oakland Museum; Gilcrease Institute; Smithsonian Institution; Whitney Gallery of Western Art (Cody, WY); Veterans Memorial Building (Oakland); Santa Cruz City Museum; Caesar's Palace (Las Vegas); San Jose Convention Center (VIP Lounge); California Historical Society, and the Irma Hotel (Cody, WY). CONDITION: Excellent with no visible damage or repair. Colors are vibrant. Frame is excellent with lovely patina. This painting is considered one of Cooper's masterful works. -MKS-
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.
Item Dimensions: 65" Wide x 82" Tall, Including Frame