Thomas Flatman, self-portrait

Thomas Flatman (1635-88)
Self-portrait
1673
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Signed lower left 'TF' in monogram, and dated 1673. Inscribed in graphite on the back 'Portrait / of / Thomas Flatman / (the poet) / by himself / 1673'
Museum no. P.79-1938
Given by the Basil S. Long Memorial Fund

Thomas Flatman, a lawyer, poet and miniaturist, described himself as a 'Gentleman'. This searching self-portrait is typical of his unglamorous miniatures, which were mostly of friends, fellow lawyers and officials.