Emma Lampert Cooper
Encyclopedia
Emma Lampert Cooper was one of Rochester, New York
's most renowned painters. She was married to painter Colin Campbell Cooper
(1856–1937).
Born Emma Esther Lampert in Nunda, New York
, to Henry and Jenette (Smith) Lampert, she moved with her family to Rochester by 1864. She graduated from Wells College
in Aurora, New York, in 1875. She went on to teach at the Foster School in Clifton Springs, New York
(school was open between 1876 and 1885). In 1877, the Rochester Art Club formed, and Cooper was its first vice president, marking the beginning of a long relationship with the Club, at least through 1894. In 1880, she went to study in New York; in that same year, her father died. In 1881, she returned to New York City to study at the Art Students League. In 1882, she exhibited at the Pennsylvania Society of Artists Watercolor Exhibition. From 1893 through 1897, Cooper studied at the Mechanics Institute, now the Rochester Institute of Technology
.
Cooper's paintings were exhibited in Rochester, Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia, among other venues. For her painting "Breadwinner", she was given an award at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.
Her subjects were primarily landscapes and genre scenes. She travelled extensively before and after her marriage; following her marriage to Colin Campbell Cooper in 1897, the couple traveled to Germany, Italy, India and Burma. The couple was among the first class passengers on the Cunard liner en route from New York to Gibraltar in April 1912, when it picked up the survivors of the . The Coopers took care of survivor Irene Harris, the wife of renowned theatre manager Henry B. Harris
, who had perished in the sinking, and shared their cabin with her.
She died of tuberculosis
at her sister's home in Pittsford, New York on July 30, 1920. She is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery
in Rochester, New York.
Cooper's paintings are held in private and public collections, including the Memorial Art Gallery
of the University of Rochester
and the Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, New York. Cooper's papers are held by the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of Rochester Library.
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
's most renowned painters. She was married to painter Colin Campbell Cooper
Colin Campbell Cooper
Colin Campbell Cooper, Jr. was an American Impressionist painter, perhaps most renowned for his architectural paintings, especially of skyscrapers in New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. An avid traveler, he was also known for his paintings of European and Asian landmarks, as well as natural...
(1856–1937).
Born Emma Esther Lampert in Nunda, New York
Nunda (village), New York
Nunda is a village in Livingston County, New York, United States. The population was 1,330 at the 2000 census.The Village of Nunda is located on the west side of the Town of Nunda. Note: the town and village name is pronounced "None-day."...
, to Henry and Jenette (Smith) Lampert, she moved with her family to Rochester by 1864. She graduated from Wells College
Wells College
Wells College is a private coeducational liberal arts college located in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. Initially an all-women's institution, Wells became a co-ed college in Fall 2005....
in Aurora, New York, in 1875. She went on to teach at the Foster School in Clifton Springs, New York
Clifton Springs, New York
Clifton Springs is a village located in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,223 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from local mineral springs....
(school was open between 1876 and 1885). In 1877, the Rochester Art Club formed, and Cooper was its first vice president, marking the beginning of a long relationship with the Club, at least through 1894. In 1880, she went to study in New York; in that same year, her father died. In 1881, she returned to New York City to study at the Art Students League. In 1882, she exhibited at the Pennsylvania Society of Artists Watercolor Exhibition. From 1893 through 1897, Cooper studied at the Mechanics Institute, now the Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university, located within the town of Henrietta in metropolitan Rochester, New York, United States...
.
Cooper's paintings were exhibited in Rochester, Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia, among other venues. For her painting "Breadwinner", she was given an award at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.
Her subjects were primarily landscapes and genre scenes. She travelled extensively before and after her marriage; following her marriage to Colin Campbell Cooper in 1897, the couple traveled to Germany, Italy, India and Burma. The couple was among the first class passengers on the Cunard liner en route from New York to Gibraltar in April 1912, when it picked up the survivors of the . The Coopers took care of survivor Irene Harris, the wife of renowned theatre manager Henry B. Harris
Henry B. Harris
Henry B. Harris ; Henry Birkhardt Harris, born in St. Louis, was a Broadway producer and theatre owner who died in the sinking of the...
, who had perished in the sinking, and shared their cabin with her.
She died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
at her sister's home in Pittsford, New York on July 30, 1920. She is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester
Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York, founded in 1838, is the United States' first municipal rural cemetery. Situated on 196 acres of land adjacent to the University of Rochester on Mount Hope Avenue, the cemetery is the permanent resting place of over 350,000 people...
in Rochester, New York.
Cooper's paintings are held in private and public collections, including the Memorial Art Gallery
Memorial Art Gallery
The Memorial Art Gallery is the civic art museum of Rochester, New York. Founded in 1913, it is part of the University of Rochester and occupies the southern half of the University's former Prince Street campus...
of the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
and the Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, New York. Cooper's papers are held by the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of Rochester Library.