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In 1649, Oliver Cromwell instructed his portraitist, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me & not Flatter me at all. But remark all these rough pimples, warts & everything as you see me, otherwise I never will pay a farthing for it.
Samuel Cooper, known as the King of Limners, sat immediately down and sized up his subject. He decided to paint him in bright, shining armor, with more hair than he really had, smaller, less conspicuous, warts, and a smooth countenance illuminated by his bright armor.
Cromwell loved the picture. After 1653, when he was declared Lord Protector, everyone wanted an image of the great leader and Cooper painted them by the dozens. Everyone remarked on Cooper’s uncanny ability to capture the true character of Cromwell. No one saw beyond their admiration.
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The Mask of Youth |
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All work within this periodical is copyrighted by the authors and Big Pond Rumour, January 2008. No part is to be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the authors and Big Pond Rumour Press. |