COOPER, Samuel, a very eminent English miniature painter, born in 1609, and bred under the care of his uncle John Hoskins. He derived, however, his principal excellence from the study of the works of Vandyck, in whose time he lived; insomuch that he was commonly styled "Vandyck in little." His pencil was chiefly confined to the head, in which, with all its dependencies, especially the hair, he was inimitable; but if he descended lower his incorrectness was notorious. He died in 1672; and his pieces are universally admired all over Europe, selling for incredible prices.—He had a brother, Alexander, likewise a good miniature painter, who became limner to Christina queen of Sweden.