Speaking about the Port Royal paintings, Cooper’s son Michael recalled accompanying his father while he worked from one of the wooden lookout towers. The Bank of Jamaica had commissioned a group of paintings, and the elevated viewpoint allowed Cooper to capture the harbor, shoreline, movement and atmosphere of the day.

A Son Remembers Port Royal

“This is a painting that shows a moment in time that will never be seen again.”

his enhanced biography was rewritten from the supplied family document and retains its photographs, artwork titles, ownership and photography are copyrighted and owned by the family.

Michael remembered the sea breeze, the fresh air and the energy of the place. One painting was given to his mother as a gift. When the bank later asked about purchasing it, she declined because of its personal meaning. It remained prominently displayed in the family home. The memory reveals what Cooper’s work accomplished at its best. A painting could hold a place, a family story and a vanished viewpoint at once. Through color and movement, the past remained present.

An Enduring Legacy

His art continues to tell Jamaica’s story, one canvas at a time.

Alexander Cooper died on March 10, 2020, at the age of 85. He left an extensive body of work documenting both the changing face and the enduring spirit of his homeland. His art continues to tell Jamaica’s story, one canvas at a time.

Editorial and Research Note