Oval Portrait of Mr William Cooper, Maltster & Brewer of the Old Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, England

A very handsome Oval Portrait of Mr William Cooper, Maltster & Brewer of the Old Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, England.

It can be described as being of the Victorian School, namely a large overpainted photograph inside a well proportioned, good quality, gold moulded, oval frame with glazing.

The portrait itself is in very good condition except for a small hairline crack beside the sitter’s left eye, but the frame is showing a few signs of wear.

This portrait (46cm x 39cm) would appear to be a portrait of a prosperous, middle aged, Mr William Cooper circa 1860.

Whilst Mr William Cooper has wonderful mutton chop side whiskers, his hair appears to be slightly thinning on top. He is dressed very formally in a black coat, with a black satin bow tie, loosely tied, and with one large gold stud in his white shirt front. He appears to be holding a dip pen, and is possibly completing entries in several business ledgers. He is sitting on a fine red leather armchair.

Wigston Magna is a town in Leicestershire, England, just south of Leicester.

The original site of the the Old Shoulder of Mutton Inn is now occupied by what has become known locally as the 'Devil House' in Long Street. The Old Shoulder of Mutton Inn was demolished in 1895. Its last owner was Mr John Cooper who had been there from 1846 and possibly before. It is believed that his father was possibly Mr William Cooper.

Provenance: on the reverse of the portrait frame the following text is typewritten on a label:

“WILLIAM COOPER,

MALSTER AND BREWER,

OF THE OLD SHOULDER OF MUTTON

LONG STREET, WIGSTON MAGNA.

LEICS.”

About the Date of Manufacture

This splendid antique Portrait was produced in the era of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). The Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, "refined sensibilities" and national self-confidence for the United Kingdom. Some scholars date the beginning of the period in terms of sensibilities and political concerns to the passage of the Reform Act 1832.

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