Miniature
ca. 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The sitter for this portrait is wearing the blue sash and star of the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order bestowed by the British sovereign.
Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century. But it was in the early 18th century that it became fashionable. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke dominated the market in London. It was Zincke who trained a number of English artists, including William Prewett. Most artists working in enamel were taught by an experienced enameller. It is not known who trained Gervase Spencer this difficult art, but he later taught Henry Spicer, who in turn taught William Birch. In 1794 Birch successfully established himself in America as an enamel painter.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century. But it was in the early 18th century that it became fashionable. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke dominated the market in London. It was Zincke who trained a number of English artists, including William Prewett. Most artists working in enamel were taught by an experienced enameller. It is not known who trained Gervase Spencer this difficult art, but he later taught Henry Spicer, who in turn taught William Birch. In 1794 Birch successfully established himself in America as an enamel painter.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Enamel on copper, silver-gilt frame |
| Brief description | Enamel miniature on copper, in a silver-gilt frame, England, ca.1750. |
| Physical description | Oval miniature portrait of a gentleman wearing a powdered wig, a brown velvet jacket with gold lace and the blue sash and star of the Order of the Garter. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is silver-gilt. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed 'HICKSON' (On paper label on back of frame) |
| Gallery label | Man with blue sash
About 1750
The sitter is wearing the blue sash and star of the
Order of the Garter, a chivalric order bestowed by
the British sovereign.
England; manner of William Prewett (active 1730–50)
Enamel on copper in gilded silver pendant
Inscribed on paper label on back of frame ‘HICKSON’
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.278:1, 2-2008(2009) |
| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance: S.H.V. Hickson Collection, Sotheby's, March 29, 1965. Sale, Sotheby's, lot 5, 30/06/1980. Acquired by Arthur Gilbert from S.J. Phillips Ltd, London, 1980. |
| Production | English school, manner of William Prewett |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The sitter for this portrait is wearing the blue sash and star of the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order bestowed by the British sovereign. Continental artists first introduced enamel painting to England in the 17th century. But it was in the early 18th century that it became fashionable. The young German Christian Friedrich Zincke dominated the market in London. It was Zincke who trained a number of English artists, including William Prewett. Most artists working in enamel were taught by an experienced enameller. It is not known who trained Gervase Spencer this difficult art, but he later taught Henry Spicer, who in turn taught William Birch. In 1794 Birch successfully established himself in America as an enamel painter. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
| Bibliographic reference | Coffin, Sarah and Bodo Hofstetter. Portrait Miniatures in Enamel. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd. in association with the Gilbert Collection, 2000. 168 p., ill. Cat. no. 44, pp. 93-94. ISBN 0856675334. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.278:1, 2-2008 |
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| Record created | June 26, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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