Gerald Cooper (1898 - 1975)

Painter, sculptor and teacher whose work included children's portraits, landscapes and horses, but who was noted for his meticulous flowers in the manner of the Dutch Old Masters. He was married to Muriel Minter, their daughter being Jennifer Cooper; John Denham Gallery held a family show in 1984. Cooper was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. During World War I he served in the Observer Corps and Royal Flying Corps, afterwards attending West Bromwich Art School. From 1921 Cooper studied at Royal College of Art, where in 1925he shared the Drawing Prize of the school of painting with Phyllis Dodd. Cooper became principal of Wimbledon School of Art, 1929 until retirement, and was keenly interested in art education. He was a member of the Bray and National Committees on Art Education and was an examiner for the Ministry of Education. was also a member of NS, and showed at NEAC, E Stacy-Marks in Eastbourne, RA extensively until the year o