Ozias Humphry Rare Miniature Painting, Double-Sided c 1790
Directory: Fine Art: Paintings: Miniatures: Pre 1800: Item # 1358953
Please refer to our stock # a1563 when inquiring.
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A fine pair of miniature portraits, done in watercolor on wafer, by Ozias Humphry. They are mounted back to back in a gold case which has black and gold eglomise work on the cover glasses. The sitters are, purportedly by descent within the family, a Mr. and Mrs. Poole. The woman is attired in a white classic white gown and wears a bone comb in her hair. The man is in a blue jacket with gold buttons, and sports a white ruffled shirt and stock.
The condition of the paintings is excellent, with good color, and no cracks or bowing. The woman has a chip at the very bottom of the wafer, which is out of sight under the border of the glass. The glass on the case has some minor scratches (which could be easily repaired) and paint loss around the edges, which is really non-obtrusive and much less apparent in person than in the photos. Sight size is 2 1/8" by 1 5/8", with an overall size of the locket at 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".
NOTE: Ozias Humphry (1742-1810) was a leading 18th century painter. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1791, and in 1792 he was appointed Portrait Painter in Crayons to the King. Humphry studied under Samuel Collins and took over his practice in 1762 at the young age of 20. He was mentored by Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds, and was a close friend of George Romney. Among Humphry's subjects were Joseph Priestley, George Stubbs, and possibly a young Jane Austen. Humphry's miniatures and pastels are in the Royal Collection, the British Museum, and other major museums.
