Miniature
ca. 1745 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
George II's son William Augustus (1721-65) joined the British army in 1742 and led his troops to victory against Charles Edward Stuart at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. His savage tactics caused him to be known as 'the Butcher'.
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 | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamel on copper, gold and enamel frame |
| Brief description | Enamel miniature on copper of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, with a gold and enamel frame, England, ca. 1745, by Christian Frederick Zincke. |
| Physical description | Oval portrait miniature of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, shown wearing a blue velvet coat with gold braid embroidery in the form of oak leaves (symbols of his victory over the Jacobites) and the Order of the Garter on his left side. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame has the Duke's initial 'W' in gold script upside down in red enamel on the reverse. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | The initial 'W' (Upside down in gold script in red enamel on the reverse of the frame) |
| Gallery label | William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
About 1745
George II’s son William Augustus (1721–65) became a
Major-General in the British army in 1742 and led his
troops to victory against Charles Edward Stuart at the
Battle of Culloden in 1746. His savage tactics caused
him to be known as ‘the Butcher’.
England; Christian Friedrich Zincke (about 1683–1767)
Enamel on copper in gilded frame
Initialled W on back of frame
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.286-2008(2009) |
| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance: D.S. Lavender, London, 01/07/1996. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | George II's son William Augustus (1721-65) joined the British army in 1742 and led his troops to victory against Charles Edward Stuart at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. His savage tactics caused him to be known as 'the Butcher'. 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. 76, pp. 122-123. ISBN 0856675334. |
| Other numbers |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.286-2008 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 26, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
