Suzanne Fourment - Robert Cooper

A fine stipple engraving by Robert Cooper, depicting the portrait of Suzanne Fourment after the original painting by Peter Paul Rubens.

This stipple engraving by Robert Cooper reproduces the famous portrait of Suzanne Fourment, often identified as the subject of Peter Paul Rubens's 'Le Chapeau de Paille' (The Straw Hat). Cooper, an active British engraver during the early nineteenth century, utilised the stipple technique to translate the tonal qualities of the original oil painting into a monochrome print format. The process involves creating images through a series of dots rather than continuous lines, allowing for the subtle graduation of light and shadow across the subject's face and clothing. The composition presents Fourment in a three-quarter view, wearing a wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers. Her arms are crossed, a pose that suggests a relaxed yet composed demeanour. The background features a soft, atmospheric sky, which provides a contrast to the detailed rendering of her bodice and the texture of the hat. Cooper's work demonstrates the technical precision required for nineteenth-century reproductive printmaking, where the goal was to disseminate the appearance of celebrated European paintings to a wider audience. As a print, this piece reflects the period's interest in historical portraiture and the technical skill of engravers who acted as intermediaries between the original masters and the public. The print captures the specific charm of the original subject, maintaining the balance between the sitter's direct gaze and the soft, diffused lighting characteristic of the Rubens composition. The plate includes the title 'Le Chapeau de Paille' at the base, confirming its status as a direct reference to the Flemish master's work. This print serves as a record of the enduring appeal of seventeenth-century portraiture during the Regency era in Britain.