Harold Copping
by Jill Webster
by Jill Webster
The painter Harold Copping moved to Shoreham in 1901 to provide a
healthy environment for his two young sons. He and his wife Edith rented
Darenth Villa in Crown Road, on the bank of the Darent. The boys enjoyed
swimming in the river, and Harold enjoyed his daily pint of Westerham Ale
at the Rising Sun, travelling to and fro in his punt.
The north-facing studio at the back of the property was ideal for a painter.
Harold was contracted to the Religious Tract Society, morally uplifting reading
for young people, which provided him with a steady income. He received a
single payment for each commission upfront, which meant he received no
royalties if reproductions of his work sold well. In 1903 the RTS commissioned
Harold to illustrate a new edition of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Harold used local villagers as models for some of the characters.
The painter Harold Copping moved to Shoreham in 1901 to provide a
healthy environment for his two young sons. He and his wife Edith rented
Darenth Villa in Crown Road, on the bank of the Darent. The boys enjoyed
swimming in the river, and Harold enjoyed his daily pint of Westerham Ale
at the Rising Sun, travelling to and fro in his punt.
The north-facing studio at the back of the property was ideal for a painter.
Harold was contracted to the Religious Tract Society, morally uplifting reading
for young people, which provided him with a steady income. He received a
single payment for each commission upfront, which meant he received no
royalties if reproductions of his work sold well. In 1903 the RTS commissioned
Harold to illustrate a new edition of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Harold used local villagers as models for some of the characters.
The Pilgrim’s Progress illustrations proved so popular that he was asked to produce 100 illustrations for a new edition of the Holy Bible. Harold’s art was firmly based on what he saw, so the RTS paid for him to visit the Holy Land, which he did in 1905 with his brother Arthur. It proved both gruelling and exciting, and an inspiration for Harold’s illustrations. The Copping Bible became a worldwide best seller but Harold only received less than £700 for two years hard work. The RTS owned the copyright, and was able to use Harold’s illustrations in a number of other religious works.
Shoreham continued to provide models for Biblical characters. These included the Filston Farm donkey, which featured in The Good Samaritan. William Booker’s flowing white beard made him ideal for Abraham, and the Bailiff William Hicks posed for Moses wearing his wife’s roller towel for his striped head-dress. Some of the village girls were more reluctant to pose, and little Amy MacLening had to be bribed with sweets to sit still. A professional model was always used for Jesus.
Life became more difficult later, when the RTS commissions and book
illustrations did not provide sufficient income for Harold to support the needs
of his family, in particular the care of his youngest son. During the War he designed a series of postcards, On Active Service, and sentimental cards for soldiers and their sweethearts. These were published by Dent, but Harold still only received a single payment for each one. In his 60s he planned a major
work which could be sold to the Royal Academy to produce investment income.
It depicted The Last Supper and the title was This Do in Remembrance of Me. Doris Wright from the Mill House and some of the regulars at the Rising Sun posed for the disciples, and Mrs Hicks’s striped roller towel made another appearance. Unfortunately the RTS found out and the painting had to be
handed over. The RTS sold a limited edition of prints for £10.10s and gave
Harold a complimentary copy, which hangs in the Mildmay Chapel in
Shoreham Church.
illustrations did not provide sufficient income for Harold to support the needs
of his family, in particular the care of his youngest son. During the War he designed a series of postcards, On Active Service, and sentimental cards for soldiers and their sweethearts. These were published by Dent, but Harold still only received a single payment for each one. In his 60s he planned a major
work which could be sold to the Royal Academy to produce investment income.
It depicted The Last Supper and the title was This Do in Remembrance of Me. Doris Wright from the Mill House and some of the regulars at the Rising Sun posed for the disciples, and Mrs Hicks’s striped roller towel made another appearance. Unfortunately the RTS found out and the painting had to be
handed over. The RTS sold a limited edition of prints for £10.10s and gave
Harold a complimentary copy, which hangs in the Mildmay Chapel in
Shoreham Church.
Born in Kentish Town, 25th August 1863.
Died in Shoreham, Kent, 1st July 1932, aged 68. He was buried in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul in Shoreham.
Died in Shoreham, Kent, 1st July 1932, aged 68. He was buried in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul in Shoreham.