Exhibition - Lasting Impressions: Colin Campbell Cooper

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Early American/California Impressionist artist Colin Campbell Cooper (1856 – 1937) is best known for his cityscapes, street scenes and architectural subjects painted during his extensive travels throughout the world.   A comprehensive exhibition of his works, “Lasting Impressions: Colin Campbell Cooper”, is currently on view at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum through October 8^th, 2010.   The exhibit features over thirty paintings that portray his views of Europe, India and the East Coast, as well as local places of interest, such as the Santa Barbara Mission and the historic El Encanto Hotel.  Cooper joined the faculty of the Santa Barbara School of the Arts as Dean of Painting after arriving in the area in 1921.

His body of work encompasses a wide variety of subjects, including still lifes, portraits, and landscapes.   Cooper created his paintings using an Impressionist style and palette inspired by artists such as Childe Hassam (1859 – 1935).  

His many trips abroad led him to Europe, including a trip in 1886 to Holland, a country that inspired many of his most accomplished and exceptional works.    

"Amsterdam", Oil on canvas, 29 x 43  SOLD

In 1889, the artist moved to Paris, where he studied at several prominent art schools, including the Academie Julian.  Traveling throughout Europe, he painted numerous views of various scenic locations, including Rheims Cathedral in France, the medieval town of Bruges in Belgium, and the poetic Wells Cathedral in England. 

"Rheims, July 5, 1906", Gouache, 21 x 15   SOLD

"Street in Bruges, Belgium", Oil on canvas, 22 x 18  SOLD

"Wells Cathedral, 1902", Gouache, 18 1/2 x 16 1/2   SOLD

During his long and successful career, Colin Campbell Cooper was a member of many of the leading art clubs in the United States, including the distinguished National Academy of Design, and the American Watercolor Society.   Examples of his elegant Impressionist paintings can be found in such renowned institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (“View of New York City”), the Dallas Museum of Art (“The Flatiron Building, 1904”), and the White House Collection (“The Capitol at Night”).