Portrait miniatures: the 18th century

Jeremiah Meyer, RA

Jeremiah Meyer, RA, 1735-89
Portrait of Francis Charteris
About 1771
Watercolour on ivory
Inscribed on the back of the metal frame in copperplate, ‘F.C., Junr.’
Museum no. 608-1902.

Francis Charteris (1749–1808) was an MP from 1780 to 1787.

Jeremiah Meyer, RA

Jeremiah Meyer, RA, 1735-89
Portrait of an Unknown Man
About 1780
Watercolour on ivory
Museum no. Evans 167
Alan Evans Bequest, given by the National Gallery

The tone of the man’s complexion has been made stronger by painting the back of the ivory behind his face with red watercolour.

Jeremiah Meyer, RA

Jeremiah Meyer, RA, 1735-89
Portrait of an Unknown Woman
About 1780
Watercolour on ivory
Museum no. Evans 166
Alan Evans Bequest, given by the National Gallery

The sitter is the wife of the man featured in Museum no. Evans 167

Richard Cosway RA, Portrait of Arthur Wellesley

Richard Cosway, RA, 1742-1821
Portrait of Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington
Dated 1808
Watercolour on ivory
Inscribed by the artist on the backing paper, in Latin, 'Richard Cosway R.A. and F.S.A. Principal Painter to his Serene Highness the Prince of Wales /Painted 1808'
Museum no. P.6-1941
Given by Mrs Emma Joseph

Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852)was created 1st Duke of Wellington in 1814. This miniature was painted at the outset of the Peninsular War, in which Wellesley commanded the Allied forces against the French.

Richard Cosway, Portrait of an Unknown Boy

Richard Cosway, RA, 1742-1821
Portrait of an Unknown Boy
Dated 1799 
Watercolour on ivory
Inscribed by the artist on the backing paper, in Latin, 'Richard Cosway R.A. Principal Painter to his Serene Highness the Prince of Wales / Painted 1799'
Museum no. P.7-1941
Given by Mrs Emma Joseph

This boy has traditionally been called 'Frederick Augustus D'Este'(1794-1848). He was the son of HRH Frederick Augustus, Ist Duke of Sussex, and Lady Augusta Murray.

Richard Cosway, RA

Richard Cosway, RA, 1742-1821
Portrait of Margaret Cocks
Dated 1787
Watercolour on ivory
The urn inscribed 'M.R./1786 'and the pedestal 'R.C.'. The backing paper inscribed by the artist in Latin 'Richard Cosway R.A. Principal Painter to his Serene Highness the Prince of Wales /Painted 1787 '
Museum no. P.51-1984

Margaret Cocks (1773 -1847)was the daughter of Joseph Cocks. Her father died before she was two and her much-loved older sister, Mrs Mary Russell, when Margaret was 13. She is shown here mourning at an urn containing her sister's remains.

Richard Crosse, Portrait of an Unknown Man

Richard Crosse, 1742-1810
Portrait of an Unknown Man
About 1770
Watercolour on ivory
Museum no. Evans 93
Alan Evans Bequest, given by the National Gallery

Richard Crosse, Portrait of Henry Swinburne

Richard Crosse, 1742-1810
Portrait of Henry Swinburne
About 1785-90
Watercolour on ivory
Museum no. FA.640

Henry Swinburne (1743-1803) was an extensive traveller. He published a number of popular travel books, including Travels through Spain, 1775 and 1776.

John Smart, Portrait of an Unknown Man

John Smart, About 1742-1811
Portrait of an Unknown Man
Dated 1767
Watercolour on ivory, over graphite underdrawing
Signed lower left, 'J.S.' in monogram, and dated '1767'
Museum P.96-1910
Salting Bequest

John Smart, Self-portrait

John Smart, About 1742-1811
Self-portrait
Dated 1797
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower left, 'J.S.' in monogram, and dated '1797'
Museum no. P.11-1940
Purchased with funds from the Captain H.B. Murray Bequest

John Smart probably exhibited this self-portrait at the Royal Academy in 1798. He had worked in India from 1785 to 1796 and had not exhibited at the Academy before. This striking piece announced his return to London.