Cooper, Alexander

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COOPER, ALEXANDER

COOPER, ALEXANDER (c. 1609–1660), English miniaturist; a convert to Judaism. Cooper was born in London, the brother of the better-known Samuel Cooper, the outstanding English miniaturist of his day. Alexander also worked in this medium. His sitters included members of the royal family and nobility. From 1647 he was at work in Sweden, where he was known as Abraham Alexander Cooper "the Jew." He apparently converted to Judaism shortly before this time, possibly in Amsterdam. There is no reason to believe that his brother Samuel had any connection with Judaism.

bibliography:

G.C. Williamson, History of Portrait Miniatures, 1 (1904), ch. 7; F. Landsberger, in: huca, 16 (1941), 382–3; C. Roth, ibid. 17 (1942–43), 500–1. add. bibliography: odnb online.

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