Antique Print of Cattle by Cooper, circa 1839

Thomas Sidney Cooper was one of the foremost animal painters of the Victorian period. He was greatly encouraged by Abraham Cooper (of no relation) and Sir Thomas Lawrence. Cooper entered the Royal Academy Schools before taking up a position as a teacher in Brussels in 1829. He was also influenced by the 17th century Dutch School. In 1831, the artist settled in London and first exhibited at Suffolk Street in 1833. He exhibited 48 pictures at the British Institution between 1833–63. Landscape and Cattle at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1833 and was shown until 1902 without a break; it was a record for a continuous exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts. Sheep and cattle were his most frequent subjects, although he did paint a few figurative ones as well. His studio sale at Christie’s lasted three days from 12–15 April 1902. His works can be found in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery; the Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery; the National Museum Cardiff, Wales; the Glasgow City Art Gallery; the Leeds Art Gallery; Leicester Museums and Galleries; the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; the Wallace Collection in London and the National Gallery in London.