Adam Cooper (1888—1940)

oil on canvas
101.4 x 76.0
inscribed in black paint on reverse of canvas: ADAM / COOPER
No. 5 in 1934 exhibition
Gift of Mrs Isabella Leason, 1969
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria

Adam Cooper was born at Lake Tyers in 1888.

Adam was a champion runner and hurdler and during an event slipped and gashed his leg. After blood poisoning set in, it had to be amputated. Despite this, he was a much sought-after farm worker and did not let the fact he had a wooden leg stop him in many endeavours. The artist records in detail a sitting that was difficult for both of them:

"About 11 Adam Cooper arrived. A very quiet, very dark, one legged man. By his appearance giving the impression of being morose and suspicious. Difficult to get a word out of him. His character different however — shy and dull of wit perhaps, but friendly, kindly and reliable. Too proud to sit, chose to stand on his wooden leg, but soon in trouble. Compelled all day to have him standing for never more than two minutes with ten minute to twenty minute rests. A difficult picture to paint in the circumstances, but one of the best - well controlled and flexible and a very good portrait"

There was only one sitting for this portrait, and it is one of four larger sized works. While the smaller portraits are generally half-length, the larger ones, all of men, are near three-quarter length. The artist has depicted Adam standing in a relaxed pose with a hand resting on the table - this being the only sign that he may have found the session tiring. The fact that his physical disability is not evident would have no doubt pleased him.

Adam Cooper did not marry and died of tuberculosis in 1940. His ghost is reputed to haunt the old Recreation Hall at Lake Tyers.