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Miniature

1760-63 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

John Stuart (1713-92) was a tutor and favourite of George III. He was appointed Lord of the Treasury in 1762 and was Prime Minister from 1761 to 1763, when he resigned and dedicated himself to the patronage of literature, art and science. His generosity benefited important artistic figures such as Samuel Johnson, Tobias Smollett and the painter Allan Ramsay. He was also a keen botanist who was instrumental in the remodelling of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

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
Materials and techniques
Enamel on copper, sharkskin and glass frame
Brief description
Enamel miniature on copper of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, in a sharkskin and glass frame, England, 1760-63, Francis Sykes.
Physical description
Oval miniature portrait of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, shown in ceremonial robes, a red coat and an ermine cape. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is of sharkskin and glass.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.68cm
  • Width: 4.7cm
  • Depth: 1.65cm
Updated with measurements taken 29/07/08
Gallery label
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute 1760–3 Lord Bute (1713–92) was a favourite of George III. He was appointed Lord of the Treasury in 1762 and was prime minister from 1761 to 1763. England; probably Francis Sykes (1746–85), after Allan Ramsay (1713–84) Enamel on copper in original hinged frame in sharkskin case Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.274-2008(2009)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: D.S. Lavender, 1987.
Production
Portrait after Allan Ramsay.
Subject depicted
Summary
John Stuart (1713-92) was a tutor and favourite of George III. He was appointed Lord of the Treasury in 1762 and was Prime Minister from 1761 to 1763, when he resigned and dedicated himself to the patronage of literature, art and science. His generosity benefited important artistic figures such as Samuel Johnson, Tobias Smollett and the painter Allan Ramsay. He was also a keen botanist who was instrumental in the remodelling of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

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. 57, p.108. ISBN 0856675334.
Other numbers
  • 1996.811.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 45 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.791.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 26 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.274-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
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