[The following catalogue of Cope’s works forms Appendix II of the artist’s Reminiscences, where the editor notes, “This list is taken from a note-book in my father's (or mother's) writing,” and those works without numbers, the editor explains, were “omitted in my father's note-book, but supplied by the secretary of the Royal Academy, from catalogues of those years.” Unless otherwise noted, the occasional queries in the catalogue are the original editor's.
This list of the painter's works has particular interest because it not only records which works were accepted or refused for exhibition at the Royal Academy but also states where the pictures were hung. The catalogue also relates which of Cope's works were commissioned, who purchased them, and their later history after the initial sale. — George P. Landow]
1832
1. Small picture of a girl
2. The Golden Age: kit-cat, exhibited at Royal Academy; not sold.
3. Portrait of G. Hallam, two years old: painted for Geo. Hallam, Esq. (and a small head of ditto presented), exhibited at Royal Academy, 1851, well hung.
4. Portrait of Miss Worthington, afterwards Mrs. Wilner
1834
5. Study of a girl's head (Michele): presented to Arthur Glennie.
6. The Sirens (painted at Florence): bought by Miss Worthington, and presented to R. Sulivan, Esq.;
exhibited at Royal Academy (Somerset House), hung in Antique Room.
7. Small head of Eugenie Sulivan: presented to R. Sulivan, Esq.; not exhibited.
8. Small portrait of son of Sir H. Floyd (Florence): not exhibited.
9. Mother and Child (three-quarters, Florence). Exhibited at British Gallery; sold to Mr. Beckford, Bath; repeated for Marquis of Lansdowne, 1842 (No. 42 infra).
10. The Convent Door: painted at Florence for Wm. Hey, Esq.; kit-cat canvas, exhibited at British Gallery.
1835
11. The Condemnation: half-length, exhibited at Royal Academy (1836), hung in ante-room (not sold); called in Royal Academy catalogue The Death Warrant
12. The Lovers: three-quarter panel, exhibited at British Institution; sold to Henry Atkinson, Esq.; repeated for Mr. Kiallmark (No. 13).
13. The Highland Soldier's Return. Exhibited at British Institution; sold to Mr. Mollison, an engraver.
14. Dog and Boy (called Cronies in Royal Academy catalogue, 1837): half-length, exhibited at Royal Academy; given to R. Sulivan.
15. Watteau subject: three-quarter panel, exhibited at British Institution; forget what became of it
16. Paolo and Francesca: Bishop's half-length canvas, exhibited at Royal Academy (1837), hung in left angle of great room, just above line; sold to the original Art Union.
1836
17. Love in the Virgin Breast of Beauty Lying. Exhibited at British Institution; not sold.
18. Portrait of Mr. Minshull: sent to Royal Academy; rejected.
19. Ditto repeated, 1845.
20. Portrait of J. H. Andresen of Christiania, as a young Franciscan monk: cleaned and presented to him in 1859.
21. Doorway of St Mark's, Venice. Exhibited at British Gallery (painted at Venice); sold to Marquis of Lansdowne.
1836
22. The Interior of an Italian Osteria: about seven feet, exhibited at Royal Academy, 1838.
1837
23. Study from Miss Kiallmark, looking up: given to her.
24. Maiden Meditation, done from Miss Kiallmark, size of life. Exhibited at British Institution; sold to Mr. Harris; bought by Mr. Walford, Lowndes Square.
25. The Applicant. Exhibited at Liverpool; sold to John Clow, Esq.; bought at his sale, 1852, by Miller.
26. Portrait of Mrs. Atkinson: small half-quarter.
27. Portrait of Mrs. Holroyd.
28. The Post Office. Exhibited at British Gallery.
29. The Chess-Players. Exhibited at British Gallery (not sold); Liverpool; Glasgow, 1851.
30. Portrait of Richard Atkinson, Esq.: not exhibited; sold to Miss Atkinson. [Second portrait painted in 1844(?).]
Probably 1838
31. Osteria di Campagna, between Rome and Ancona — Vettura Travellers Repast; German students in the background: hung under the line in first room, and at Manchester Exhibition, 1857; sold to Mr. Villebois, of Benham.
1838
32. The Flemish Mother. Exhibited at Royal Academy (not sold); Mr. Merrit, picture cleaner, had it to mend; hung in middle room.
33. Portraits of Sir E. Filmer's children. Exhibited at Royal Academy Commission.
34. Dog Pepper; painted at Barnard Castle; given to H. Benning, Esq., now in possession of C. S. Benning, Esq., The Limes, Dunstable.
1839-40
35. Altar-piece for St. George's Church, Leeds: size sixteen feet by ten feet, exhibited at Royal Academy, 1840 and at Liverpool, where it had the prize of fifty guineas awarded; presented to the church.
1840
36. Beneficence
37. Benevolence. 36 and 37 exhibited together at Royal Academy; hung under line in great room — Help thy father in his age, and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength, and Almsgiving (Royal Academy catalogue titles); painted for Mr. Sheepshanks.
1840-41
38. The Board of Guardians: size about five feet, exhibited at Royal Academy — Poor Law Guardians, Board-day Application for Bread (catalogue), 1841 — then at Liverpool and British Gallery; hung on line at Royal Academy; not sold for two years, then disposed of to Mr. Cousins, an Art Union prize-holder. After Mr. Cousins' death, in 1890, this picture was sold at his sale to Mr. Cooper, Wellesley Road, Croydon.
39. The Penitent's Return. Exhibited at British Institution; not sold.
40. Ditto, unfinished. [Childhood. Royal Academy catalogue, No. 1008, 1841.] 1841. 41. Mother and Child taught to Read: kit-cat, exhibited at Royal Academy, hung in architectural room; sold to Mr. Dorrington before exhibition.
1842
42. Repetition of Mr. Beckford's picture, Mother and Child for Marquis of Lansdowne; exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, under line.
[The Schoolmaster, Royal Academy catalogue for 1842, No. 8.]
43. The Hawthorn Bush: half-length canvas, exhibited at Royal Academy, right corner of middle room; sold to J. Sheepshanks, Esq.
[Hope, Royal Academy catalogue, 1842, No. 193.]
1843
44. The Cotter's Saturday Night: small half-length canvas, exhibited at Royal Academy, low down, right centre of great room; painted for Wm. Gott, Esq., of Leeds.
45. Search the Scriptures (Reading the Scriptures, catalogue. Royal Academy). Exhibited at Royal Academy, middle room, over line, large half-length canvas; painted for John Gott, Esq., of Wyther, near Leeds.
46. Portrait of Francis Wilmer (six years old): painted for Miss Worthington.
47. Cartoon of First Trial by Jury. Exhibited at Westminster Hall; gained first prize of £300.
48. Jacob and Rachel: cartoon, exhibited at Westminster Hall.
49. Ditto, portable fresco, exhibited at Westminster Hall (destroyed by self in 1863).
50. The Tenants. Exhibited at Royal Academy; bought by Dickson, of Bond Street; Art Union prize.
1844.
51. Palpitation. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to J. Sheepshanks, Esq., before exhibition.
1844
52. The Cup of Cold Water. Exhibited at the Royal Academy (No. 276); sold to Henry Benyon, Esq., before exhibition; bought by Mr. Munro (of Novar ?).
53. Genevieve. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; not sold; sent for diploma picture.
54. Portrait of Mrs. St. George Burke. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; now at the Auberies, Sudbury, Suffolk.
55. Portrait of Richard Atkinson, Esq. Not exhibited; sold to Miss Atkinson. (Same as mentioned above, or a repetition ?)
1845
56. Cartoon of the Order of the Garter. Exhibited at Westminster Hall. (No pictures in Royal Academy. Mr. Cope went to Italy.)
57. Small copy of Mr. Minshull's portrait: not exhibited; painted for — Morgan, Esq.
1846
58. The Young Mother (nursing). Exhibited at the Royal 'Academy, well hung in comer of great room; sold to J. Sheepshanks, Esq.
59. Pastorella. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, sold to Sir J. Wigram.
60. Small cartoon (the second) of Order of the Garter. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, hung in miniature room.
1847
61. Maiden Meditation. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; sold to J. Sheepshanks, Esq., before exhibition.
62. Robe of Righteousness [Girl at Prayer, Royal Academy catalogue]. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; sold to Mr. Collyer, Art Union.
1848
Catalogue of pictures painted by C. W. Cope 63. Cardinal Wolsey: painted for H.R.H. Prince Albert; exhibited at the Royal Academy [Is this Cardinal Wolsey’s Reception at Leicester Abbey, for which the Victorian Web has a copy of the original sketch? — GPL] .
64. L'Allegro Exhibited at the Royal Academy;
65. II Penseroso both sold to J. Sheepshanks, Esq., before exhibition.
66. Cartoon of Griselda. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, miniature room.
67. Fresco of Griselda: painted on wall of Upper Waiting Hall, new Palace of Westminster.
68. Small sketch of ditto, in oil. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; sold to — Monro, Esq.
1849
[Mr. Cope one of the Hanging Committee this year]
69. Fireside Musings. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; sold to J. Gibbons, Esq., before exhibition.
70. The First-Born (life-size). Exhibited at the Royal Academy, sold to Mr. Dewhurst, of Manchester, in 1853; engraved for the Art Union, by Vernon.
1850
71. King Lear. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; painted for I. K. Brunel, Esq., for a Shakespeare Room; sold at Christie's in 1860.
72 and 73. Coloured sketches for the two frescoes in House of Lords, Order of the Garter, and Judge Gascoigne. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, and at Liverpool same year; Glasgow, 1851, screwed together (not sold).
74. Portrait of Charles Henry Cope, aged nine. Exhibited at the Royal Academy (kept in family).
75. Milton's Dream. Exhibited at the Royal Academy; sold to J. Gibbons, Esq., before exhibition.
76. Evening Prayer: R. Newsham, Esq., Preston (pencil note).
1851
77. The Sisters (life-size). Exhibited at the Royal Academy (high), and Manchester same year; sold at Manchester to Watt (Dec. 23, 1851).
78, 79, 80. Three subjects from the life of Lawrence Saunders, second martyr in Queen Mary's reign. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, hung on the line, left hand, middle of second room; sold to Mrs. Thurburn, of Murtle, Aberdeenshire (July, 1851).
81. Portrait of little Hallam, painted at Florence. Exhibited at the Royal Academy this year, well hung.
82. Portrait of Lizzie Benning (wife's cousin). Exhibited at the Royal Academy, large room.
1852
83. Marriage of Griselda. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, large room, right hand, on line; commission from Mr. Betts, of Preston Hall, Kent. Sent in August to Manchester, where the prize of 100 guineas was awarded it, Oct. 9.
84. Creeping like Snail unwillingly to School. Exhibited at Royal Academy, right-hand side, in corner, well hung — little picture; sold first day to Mr. Bashall, of Preston.
85. Blacksmith's Shop, painted on the spot at Aboyne: exhibited at Royal Academy, well hung, large room, left corner, screen.
86. Portrait of Florence Cope at Dinner-time. Exhibited at Royal Academy, left side, on line, very well seen; sent to Paris Exposition Universelle, 1867; property of C. H. Cope, 1890.
87. Drawing in chalk of little Christopher, taken after death. Exhibited at Royal Academy, miniature room, on the line; presented to the parents.
88. Portrait in oil, life-size, of Hon. W. S. Lascelles: not exhibited; presented to Lady Caroline Lascelles; painted from recollection; engraved by F. Holls.
89. Drawing in chalk of old Mr. Hardy, Mrs. Christopher's father: not exhibited; sold to them.
1853
90. Othello relating his Adventures. Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, south wall, right-hand side; commission from Mr. Barlow, of Upton Hall, Ardwick, Manchester; sold by him, in 1857, to a dealer, and then to Mr. Houldsworth Motherwell, near Coltness.
91. The Page. Exhibited at Royal Academy, middle room, next the centre, on line; commission from Mrs. Phillips, of Heath House, Staffordshire.
92. Mother and Child. Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, left-hand corner — small picture; bought by Mr. Sheepshanks.
93. The Mother's Kiss (life-size). Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, left corner on entering, north wall; not sold.
94. Portraits of Eugenie Sulivan, painted in Italy, 1834 (No. 7), when seven years old, and her daughter, Greta Bell (No. 89), painted 1853, when five years old. Exhibited at Royal Academy, end of large room, east wall, to right of President's picture, on the line; presented to Robert Sulivan, Esq., Rutland Gate.
1854
95 The Friends (portraits of C. H. C. and Charlotte Ellen, looking over Robinson Crusoe). Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, south wall; bought by J. H. Robinson, Esq., before exhibition.
96. Baby’s Turn (Emily and Charlotte Ellen Cope feeding). Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, north-east corner; sold the first day to Mr. Lloyd, a dealer; then, 1857, to Mr. Rodgett, Esq., Preston; to Wallis, dealer, 1859, and by him to Graves, 1860, to be engraved.
97. Cartoon of Lara (and fresco): not exhibited.
98. Small oil sketch of Lara: not exhibited; sold to Art Union of Glasgow in 1857.
1855
99. Royal Prisoners (death of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Charles I.). Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, line, right side of east wall; sold to G. Courtauld, Esq.
100. Penserosa (girl reading). Exhibited at the Royal Academy, large room, south wall, near east corner; presented to H. C. Johnson, Esq., and left, at his death, to his brother, Edmund Charles Johnson, Esq., 4, Eaton Place.
101. Consolation (child trying to wipe tears from mother's face; map of Sebastopol on the table). Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, north wall, about the middle; bought by J. Arden, Esq., Cavendish Square (copyright retained).
102. Portrait of Lizzie Benning (wife's sister).
103. Ditto, small (both kept in family).
104. Othello, replica, begun for Duchess of Sutherland (not exhibited, Mr. Cope being hanger that year); sold to J. W. Leather, Esq., of Leeds, in December, 1855.
1856
105. Departure of the Pilgrim Fathers from Delft Haven, 1620. Exhibited at Royal Academy, west room, left side, centre, 1857; sold to Lloyd, and lent to him for two years for engraving. Lloyd failed, and the large picture was returned. Sent to America; afterwards, 1864, sold to Government of Melbourne, Australia, to form the beginning of a national gallery there.
1857
106. Small repetition of Pilgrim Fathers: not exhibited; painted for him. [Lloyd?]
107. Breakfast-time — Morning Lessons. Exhibited at Royal Academy, east room, right side comer, well hung; commission for H. W. Elaton, Esq., 16, Princes Gate (now Lord Cheylesmore).
108. Affronted (portrait of Charlotte Ellen before dinner). Exhibited at Royal Academy, middle room, right-hand corner; sold to Colls; engraved, without leave, by Bacon, for Lloyd.
109. Cartoon and fresco of Burial of Charles I, for Peers' Corridor.
1858
110. Upward Gazing (baby Arthur). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room (N.B. — 1, began in gray; 2, glazed over flesh; when dry, painted with opaque colour from nature, in parts. Sky, gray preparation, warmed with a glaze of red and yellow ochre; then ultramarine, and white over it when dry); sold to R. P. Barrow, Esq., Blackheath.
111. The Stepping-Stones. Exhibited at Royal Academy, north side of great room.
1859
112. Cordelia receiving the News of her Father's Ill-treatment. Exhibited at Royal Academy, east end of great room; sold to Arthur Bumand, Esq.
113. The Elder Sister (Margaret and Arthur). Exhibited at Royal Academy, middle room, corner; J. Lancaster, Esq.
114. Repose (Arthur as a baby). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, north side; sold to J. H. Robinson, Esq.
115. Cartoon and fresco of The Parting of Lord and Lady William Russell. Painted in committee-room B, and removed to Peers' Corridor, Dec. 8, 1859.
1860
116. Evening Prayer (Arthur as a baby). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, south-east corner; sold to Arthur C. Burnand, Esq.
117. Rest (Arthur). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, near Evening Prayer; sold to James Brand, Esq., of Bedford Hill, Balham.
1861
118. Parting of Lord and Lady W. Russell. oil picture, exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, east end; sold to J. Kelk, Esq., before exhibition. /p>
119. Convalescent (same size as Rest). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, south-east angle; sold to J. Fores, Esq., before exhibition. /p>
120. Scholar's Mate. Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room; sold to Duncan Dunbar, Esq., before exhibition.
121. Fresco of Raising the Standard: removed to Peers' Corridor, 1861 (December).
1862
122 and 123. Two Mothers — i. She openeth her mouth with wisdom etc.; 2. Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain. Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room, north-east angle. A mistake made in the priced catalogue prevented the sale of both together. The Good Mother sold to James Brand, Esq., on May 23. Not liking the separation, the Good Mother was borrowed, and exhibited with the other (head repainted) at Birmingham, 1864, and Mr. Brand consented to part with it again for the sum he gave for it. Bought it back from him, and sold the two together to W. Agnew, Feb. 21, 1865; he sold them to W. Mendall, Esq., M.P. [Samuel Mendel?] near Manchester.
124. Cartoon of Defence of Basing House: finished May 24; not exhibited Fresco of ditto: painted in water-glass method. [Original sketch]
1862-63
Cartoon of Expulsion of Fellows done.
1863
125. The First Music Lesson (Emily and Harry). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room; sold to Alderman Salomons early on private view day.
126. Morning Lessons (Harry and Arthur). Exhibited at Royal Academy, great room; sold by Hart to Alderman Salomons, May 29.
1863-64
127. Fresco of Expulsion of Fellows: finished and placed in Peers' Corridor before February, 1864.
1864
128. Contemplation. Exhibited at Royal Academy, left side of doorway leading into middle, great room. Picture begun in 1856; sold to Agnew before exhibition; he sold it to Samuel Mendel, Esq., of Manchester; copyright retained to C. W. Cope, his heirs, etc.
129. Portrait of Emily Cope (begun in 1860). Exhibited at Royal Academy, corner.
130. Reading for Honours (C. H. C. at Abinger, done there). Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Pococke first day; copyright reserved and registered.
131. Cartoon of Train Bands.
132. Portrait of Mrs. James Brand. Exhibited at Royal Academy, 1866, south side, east room.
1865
133. Study of Fra Angelico, in oil, for a larger figure to be executed in mosaic. Exhibited at Royal Academy, large room, right-hand corner going in; given to the Royal Academy, as well as Genevieve, for diploma pictures.
134. Large portrait of H.R.H. [the Prince Consort] (posthumous): painted in oil for the Society of Arts, to be hung in their large room with the Barry pictures. N.B. — May 1,1865. Registered twelve works at Stationers' Hall, namely, seven frescoes and five pictures — Contemplation, Two Mothers, First Music Lesson, Morning Lessons; Reading for Honours is copyright by agreement
135. Fresco of Train Bands, in water-glass, begun in spring, finished by the end of August.
1866
[Messrs. Cope, Horsley and Faed hangers this year]
136. The Thorn. Exhibited at Royal Academy, centre room, north side; sold to Agnew before it was finished; copyright retained; photographed by Bassano and Davis, but not published.
137. Posthumous portrait of W. Dyce, R.A: head, life-size, exhibited at Royal Academy, north room, end.
138. Smaller three-quarter portrait, ditto: given to Mrs. Dyce.
139. Fresco of Speaker Lenthall, completing the Peers Corridor series of frescoes.
1867
140. Shylock and Jessica. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. Tetley, of Gledhow, near Leeds. (Mr. Cope hanger, instead of Sir E. Landseer, with Messrs. Richmond and J. Lewis.)
141. Othello (third picture of that subject, night
scene). Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to R. P. Barrow, Esq.
142. Portrait of C. S. Benning, as Volunteer: three-quarter, exhibited at Royal Academy; presented to him.
143. Pilgrims at Emmaus. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. Strutt, of Belper, in 1869.
144. Portrait of Colonel Trotter. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. Hicks.
145. Home Dreams. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Messrs. Agnew.
146. Domestic Chaplain. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. Lees, Wernerth Park, Oldham. Wellington and Dr. Hume. Exhibited at Royal Academy; destroyed.
147. Small portrait, whole length, of Dr. Pears.
148. Portrait of Rev. T. Chevalier; large half-length.
149. Launcelot Gobbo's Siesta. Exhibited at Royal
Academy; sold to B. Peacock, Esq., Gorton Hall, Manchester.
150. Gentle and Simple. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. Edwardes, Streatham.
151. Mr. Guy and Dr. Mead considering the Architect's Plans for the Proposed New Hospital. Exhibited at Royal Academy; presented to Guy’s Hospital; copyright sold to Mr. Turner, Treasurer.
152. Oliver Cromwell receiving a Deputation. Exhibited
at Royal Academy; commission from Mr. Cressingham, of Garshalton.
153. Contrast. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to John White, Esq.
154. Early Education, by his Mother, of George Herbert. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to S. Taylor-Whitehead, Esq.
155. Yes or No? exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Evans Lees, Esq., Woodfield, Oldham.
156. Gentle Craft. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to R. P. Barrow, Esq.
157. Taming the Shrew. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to J. Fielden, Esq., Dobroyd Castle, Todmorden.
158. Quiet Employment. Exhibited at Royal Academy;
sold to Mr. Bowles, Enfield.
159. Home Attraction. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to J. Robinson, Esq., Edenhurst, Sevenoaks. 160. Council of the Royal Academy — Selection of Pictures. Exhibited at Royal Academy; purchased by George Moore, Esq., and presented by him to the Royal Academy, to be placed in the Council Room.
161. Bianca's Lovers. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. C. P. Matthews.
162. Hope Deferred. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. J. Fielden, Todmorden Castle.
163. Commander Cameron's Reception at Shoreham. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to H. St. John Mildmay, Esq., in 1888.
164. Hamlet and Ophelia. Exhibited at Royal Academy;
sold to J. Dawson, Esq., Northbrook, Exeter.
Sad Memories
Hesitation Country Life in the Olden Times An Inquisition
Perplexed1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
The Good Shepherd
1881
165. Far-away Thoughts. Exhibited at Royal Academy; sold to Mr. J. Crawfurd.
166. Janet Escaped. Exhibited at Royal Academy; bequeathed to Mrs. A. C. Auchmuty.
1882
Summer Time
Anne Page and Slender
Bibliography
Cope, Charles Henry. Reminiscences of Charles West Cope, R.A.. London: Richard Bentley and Son, 1891.
Last modified 26 June 2020