Astley David Middleton Cooper (California/Missouri, 1856-1924) oil on canvas vertical western landscape painting depicting towering redwoods at sunset with a buck standing at the edge of a body of water. Signed and dated "A.D.M. Cooper. 1922," lower left. Housed in the original molded giltwood Art Deco style frame. Canvas: 39" H x 18" W. Frame: 42 1/2" H x 21 3/8" W.

Biography: St. Louis born Astley D.M. Cooper became as famous for his bohemian lifestyle as for his Western paintings. In fact, Edan Hughes, author of the reference book, ARTISTS IN CALIFORNIA 1786-1940, stated that of the 16,000 artists he had chronicled, "none was as colorful as Astley David Middleton Cooper." The legendary Louisiana Territory explorer William Clark was the great uncle of Cooper's mother, and Cooper was heavily influenced by artist George Catlin, a family friend. Cooper attended Washington University, where he studied European Art, but did not graduate, choosing instead to head West.

He illustrated for magazines of the day including Leslie's; earned commissions to paint an official portrait of President Ulysses S. Grant and still lifes of the jewelry of Mrs. Leland Stanford; and established a studio in San Francisco, where he became known for his wild parties, musical salons, and womanizing. He is said to have completed more than a thousand paintings in his career - including many nude scenes that paid his bar bills. Cooper's landscape paintings often had a serious side, however, with dark somber tones and an underlying commentary on the tragedy of the vanishing indigenous culture and wildlife of the American West.

Very good overall condition. With craquelure, especially to upper third, plus surface grime and minor frame abrasions. Frame with abrasions and losses.