“ Next he turned the medieval people into monks and finally nuns; some weeping, some praying, some enraptured, and some horrified. This description will give some idea of the kind of labour that Cowper put into his romantic compositions, and it cannot be denied that they showed a good deal of invention, though of a literary rather than a strictly pictorial kind, as well as decorative ability, particularly in colour. ”

“ Cowper was born at Wicken Rectory, Northamptonshire on the 16th October 1877. His father was Frank Cowper, author of several works on cruising and romantic tales, who married Edith daughter of the Reverend E Cadogen Rector of Wicken. From Cranleigh School Cowper proceeded to St John’s Wood Art School, and later to the Royal Academy Schools, where he won several prizes and medals. ”

“ Two later works which caused some comment were ‘The Featherbed Farmer,’ said to have been inspired by remarks made by Mr Stanley Evans, formerly Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Food, and ‘The Jealous Husband,’ showing a man disguised as a priest listening to his wife’s confession. ”