Portrait miniatures and the Royal Academy

James Scouler, portrait of an Unknown Woman as 'A Sibyl'

James Scouler About 1740-1812
Portrait of an Unknown Woman as 'A Sibyl'
Dated 1772
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower right 'Scouler' and dated '1772'
Museum no. P.42-1977
Given by Robert L. Bayne-Powell

A sybil was a prophetess in classical mythology. Sir Joshua Reynolds, first president of the Royal Academy, made it fashionable for ladies to be painted in mythological roles. Scouler exhibited 'A Sibyl' at the Royal Academy in 1775.

Samuel Shelley, Portrait of an Unknown Woman

Samuel Shelley, 1750/6-1808
Portrait of an Unknown Woman
About 1770-5
Watercolour on ivory
Museum no. P.81-1931
Given by Mr W.A.J. Floersheim

Richard Crosse, Portrait of Sarah Siddons

Richard Crosse, 1742-1810
Portrait of Sarah Siddons, born Kemble
Dated 1783
Watercolour on ivory
Inscribed on the backboard, 'R.Crosse / 1783 / 30 Guineas'
Museum no. P.146-1929

Mrs Siddons (1755-1831) was the leading British tragic actress. Her parents had led a troupe of travelling actors and many of her family also became noted actors. Crosse exhibited a miniature of 'Mrs Siddons' at the Royal Academy in 1783.

George Engleheart, Portrait of John Dyer Collier

George Engleheart, 1750-1829
Portrait John Dyer Collier
About 1785
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower right, 'E' in monogram
Museum no. P.76-1910 
Salting Bequest

John Dyer Collier (1762-1825) was a writer and the editor of two periodicals, the Monthly Review and the Critical Review. He was friends with many literary figures, including the poet William Wordsworth.

George Engleheart, Portrait of an Unknown Woman

George Engleheart, 1750-1829
Portrait of an Unknown Woman
Dated 1804
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower right 'E ' in monogram and dated '1804'. Inscribed by the artist on the backing paper, in Latin, 'G Engleheart /painted this /1804'
Museum no. P.58-1910
Salting Bequest

William Wood, Portrait of an Unknown Man with the Initials 'NAM'

William Wood, 1769-1810
Portrait of an Unknown Man with the Initials 'NAM'
About 1795
Watercolour on ivory
Set at the back of the frame is a monogram in gilt, 'NAM', with sprays of light brown hair
Museum no. P.91-1931
Given by Mr  W. A. J. Floersheim

George Engleheart, Portrait of Colonel Cuppage

George Engleheart, 1750-1829
Portrait of Colonel Cuppage
Dated 1806
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower right, ‘E’ in monogram. Inscribed by the artist on the backing paper, in Latin, ‘G Engleheart / painted this / 1806’
Museum no. Evans 111
Alan Evans Bequest, given by the National Gallery

The sitter has traditionally been called ‘Colonel Cuppage of the East Indies’.

John Bogle, Portrait of an Unknown Man

John Bogle, About 1746-1803
Portrait of an Unknown Man
Dated 1780
Watercolour on ivory
Signed on the left 'Bogle' and dated '1780'
Museum no. P.83-1910 
Salting Bequest

The sitter has traditionally been called 'The Dutch Governor of Trincomalee'. Trincomalee is in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. Throughout the 18th century the French, British and Dutch competed for its control.

Richard Collins, Portrait of Prince Augustus Frederick

Richard Collins, 1755-1831
Portrait of Prince Augustus Frederick
Dated 1789
Watercolour on ivory
Inscribed by the artist on the backing paper, in Latin, 'Rd Collins painted this /1789' and, in English, 'Portrait Painter in Enamel to His Majesty'
Museum no.503-1902

Augustus Frederick (1773-1843) was the sixth son of George III and Queen Charlotte. He later became1st Duke of Sussex.

Thomas Hazlehurst, Portrait of an Unknown Boy

Thomas Hazlehurst, Worked 1760-1818
Portrait of an Unknown Boy
About 1800
Watercolour on ivory
Signed lower right, ‘T.H.’ in monogram
Museum no. Evans 133
Alan Evans Bequest, given by the National Gallery

The sitter has traditionally been called ‘The Right Honourable J. A. Plantagenet Stewart’.