Charles West Cope Victorian Painter 1811 – 1890 5 stars Worthy

Charles West Cope Victorian Painter 1811 – 1890 5 stars Worthy
Reviewed by Teresita Blanco

Charles West Cope painted in Victorian England. He specialized in genre, historical paintings and etching. He also made a few frescoes for the House of Lords, in London. His parents had high expectations for Cope. His parents gave him the name West because they hoped that their son would paint like Benjamin West. As a child, Cope's family sent him to study in the top schools of arts. He left school to escape from the unwelcome attentions of his teachers. He left to Paris to study on his own. When he returned home, he painted his first two masterpieces, "Paolo and Franceses" and "Osteria di Campagna". He displayed them in the Royal Academy. He made a considerable sum from the selling of both paintings. This allowed him to found "The Etching Club".

Above, we see one of the paintings featured in the Houses of Parliament. Cromwell dominated the short lived Commonwealth of England. During that time, England became a democracy Protestant State. When he died, England returned to their old Monarchic ways. Above, we see Cromwell negotiating the aid to another Protestant nation. This painting glorifies the workings of Democracy. Politics in the hands of the people and for the people. The personages' portraits might be based on true historical portraits of the diplomats. Cope's Oliver Cromwell looks like the original Oliver Cromwell. In any case, this painting by Cope deserves 5 stars rating. 

In this painting, a girl takes a thorn from the hand of a boy. The thorn causes him a lot of pain. In the foreground, we see a book and two roses. Apparently the boy tried to get some roses for the girl. The scene seems a bit romantic. It can be interpreted in a sensual way as well. The boy has a thorn that only the girl's soft hands can cure, if you get my meaning? In any case, this lovely painting by Charles West Cope deserves 5 stars rating. 

This painting glorifies the life of a homemaker. While this mother does her sewing, she helps her children with their reading lessons. The girl on the floor represents the mother's past. The little girl balances her education with her house chores. She must be both a homemaker and a teacher for her children. When a woman manages to do both, she spends her life well. This Victorian Homemaker deserves 5 stars rating.

This painting has an ambiguous name. I do not know its theme. From what I see, it seems that the father or some random guy has stolen the mother's baby. The mother lies defeated on the floor. Her maids watch the scene in awe. The personages look idealized. However, their faces have a lot of emotion. In any case, this painting by Cope deserves 5 stars rating.

This painting shows a girl with a slate. The slate shows that the girl goes to school. She has a determine gaze. She wants education. This pretty profile by Charles West Cope deserves 5 stars rating.

In this painting, a widow fell asleep while sewing. All the details contribute to this fact. She even has a dimple on one of her fingers. The window shows the London bridge. This humble domestic scene deserves 5 stars rating. 

This painting has an odd title. The girl gazes at several golden flowers. Based on the title, must have received the flowers from a man she liked. She has high hopes of meeting him. However, she fears what will happen when she meets him. This cryptic painting by Charles West Cope deserves 5 stars rating. 

In this painting, a mother has become a widow. She read news of her husband's death. Her daughter tries pitifully to clean her mother's tears. Behind the pair, we can see a painting of the dead husband, wearing his uniform. The stage light, however, focuses on the mother's suffering. This depressing painting by Cope deserves 5 stars rating.

In this painting, the lady of the house looks exited. The postman brings her news of her lover boy. The maiden holds a bit of hair in her hand. All over the house there's signs that a man lives there. Based on the top hat and the fur, the maiden's lover must be an explorer or hunter. He must have been gone for a long time, for she eagerly awaits news from him. In any case, this lovely painting by Cope deserves 5 stars rating.

This painting shows a spirit maiden coming out of the well. The monk cannot believe his eyes. The scenery reminds me of a Spanish monetary. Its said that many wells or other water landmarks have spirits within. The contrast between the monks and the maiden works pretty well. She looks idealized while the monks look mundane. In any case, this lovely painting by Cope deserves 5 stars rating.

Above, the prince asks for the peasant girl's hand. He brought his entire court along for the trip. He aims to woo her with his wealth, power and influence. This painting shows the end of the story. For the writer, the husband behaved like a jerk for putting Griselda through so many trails. The tale critique upper class's romantic advances on lower class women. Here, the poor folks appears as the victims who endure many trails to marry up. In this depiction, Cope shows the entire court. One of the boy's carrying the treasures looks back at the viewer. In any case, this painting deserves 5 stars rating.

Above, we see a mother teaching her boy how to play the piano. It shows glorifies a woman's role in the education and nurturing of their children. Nothing else needs to be said. 5 stars for Charles West Cope.

This painting shows a young mother feeding her first born. Both look beautiful together. This candid moment deserves 5 stars.

In the last painting, a mother wants to feed her little girl. Her maid hugs her little girl. Everything looks beautiful within. This last genre middle class painting gets 5 stars. I hope that you like this Victorian painter a lot.