WOMEN

	Young Lady in Blue, by Frederick Buck, Circa 1785 An Irish portrait miniature of a young woman with light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a blue dress with white fichu, against a sky background. The portrait is set in the original gold frame, the reverse with brightwork surrounding a glazed aperture holding the gold monogram TLS set on plaited hair, and a brooch pin. The case, according to a previous owner, was made by Buck's father, who was a gold and silversmith. Frederick Buck (1771-c.1840) was born in Cork, Ireland to the silversmith Johnathan Buck. Both Frederick and his brother Adam became popular miniaturists in their day. Frederick attended the Dublin Society Schools, and then established a large practice in Cork. He was particularly busy during the Peninsular War, when Cork was a port of embarkation, and he was in demand to paint portraits of officers passing through. Examples of Buck's work may be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Dimensions: 2 x 1 ½ inches.

	Lady in White Shawl, Attributed to Jeremiah Paul, Jr., Circa 1805 An American portrait miniature of a woman with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a white bonnet and a dark dress covered with a white shawl, against a brown background. The painting is set in a gilt pendant frame, the reverse with an aperture holding a lock of hair. Jeremiah Paul, (?-1820) the son of a Quaker schoolmaster, was probably born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a portrait, miniature, figure and animal painter. He apparently studied under Charles Willson Peale and Rembrandt Peale, and was one of the founder of the Columbianum, an art academy. 1796, with several other Philadelphia artists, formed the firm of Paul, Rutter & Clarke (Jeremiah Paul, George Rutter, and William Clarke, formerly Pratt, Rutter & Co.—Matthew Pratt and George Rutter), whose aim was "to undertake all manner of commissions, from the painting of portraits, signs and fire buckets to japanning and the execution of coffin plates." During this time he also performed tasks for Gilbert Stuart, including the lettering in some of Stuart's portraits. Paul worked in Philadelphia from 1795 to 1800 and again in 1811, in Alexandria in 1802, in Charleston, South Carolina in 1803, in Baltimore from 1806 to 1808, and in Pittsburgh in 1814. He died in St. Louis in 1820. He exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Works by Jeremiah Paul are extremely scarce. Dimensions: 3 x 2 ½ inches.

	Lady in White, by Charles Robertson, Circa 1800 A serenely beautiful portrait miniature of a woman with blue eyes and auburn hair, wearing a white dress, against a sky background. The painting is set in the original gold locket frame, the rim with a surround of gold beads, the reverse with cobalt glass, an inset glazed aperture holding brown plaited hair set with the gold initials JB. Charles Robertson (c. 1760-1821), was arguably a more talented and less mannered artist than his older brother Walter Robertson, who served as his instructor when they lived together in Dublin. Robertson exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1790 to 1810, and in Dublin until 1821. He served as Secretary and Vice President of the Hibernian Society of Artists. A miniature of one of his daughters, Maria, and another of his brother Walter, are held in the National Gallery of Dublin, and other examples of his work may be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dimensions: 3 x 2 ½ inches.

	Lady in a Pink Dress, by John Wood Dodge, A.N.A., Circa 1830 A charming American portrait miniature of a woman with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a pink dress with a ruffled collar, against a rosy sky background. The painting is set in the original gilt pendant frame with a cast foliate rim, the reverse with a glazed aperture holding black silk. John Wood Dodge (1803-1893), one of the most talented miniaturists in America's history, was born in New York City, the son of a goldsmith and watchmaker. Dodge began his career by painting designs on watchcases for his father, and then apprenticed to a sign-painter, under whose tutelage he began to paint miniatures. He attended the National Academy of Design during 1826, and started keeping his account book in 1828. He exhibited at the National Academy from 1830 to 1838, and was elected an associate member of the National Academy in 1832. Dodge also exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Association and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In 1838 he moved south, painting portraits of Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay, executing a series of large dioramas, and traveling to Huntsville, Nashville, New Orleans, and other southern cities. He purchased an apple farm in Pomona, Tennessee, and he and his wife and five children moved there shortly thereafter. As a Unionist, Dodge and his family moved back north to New York City in 1861, and then to Chicago a few years later. In 1889 they returned to their beloved apple farm in Tennessee, where Dodge continued to paint, until he died a few years later. His obituary was published in the New York Times, December 31, 1893. Dodge's papers are held at the Smithsonian, including his account book, correspondence, and a hand-written biography by James H. McNeilly. His works may be viewed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Art Museum, the Cincinnati Art Museum, the New York Historical Society, and the Yale University Art Gallery, which holds his self-portrait miniature. Dimensions: 2 ¾ x 2 ¼ inches.

	Lady in a Veil, By Richard Cosway, Circa 1800 A British portrait miniature of a lady with light brown hair and amber eyes, wearing a white dress with gold-buttoned sleeves, a gold necklace, and a black lace veil, against a sky background. The painting is set in a gilt pendant frame with a solid reverse. Richard Cosway, R.A. (1740-1821), one of the most important and influential miniaturists in English history was born in Devon to a family that owned a prosperous woolen business. Cosway was sent to London at age twelve, where he studied with Thomas Hudson, attended William Shipley’s drawing school and attended the Royal Academy Schools. Cosway exhibited at the Society of Artists, the Free Society of Artists, and the Royal Academy, and was elected to the Academy in 1771. In 1781 he married the Anglo-Italian artist Maria Hadfield, and in 1789 their only child, Louisa Paolina Angelica, was born. Cosway dearly loved his daughter, and after her sudden death at age seven, his somewhat eccentric behavior became increasingly more erratic. Cosway's tremendous talent won him such famous clients as the Prince of Wales, and he and Maria moved in the most fashionable Georgian circles, known for their salons and exquisite art and antique collections. Thomas Jefferson said of them that they possessed: "….good sense, good humour, honest hearts, honest manners, and eminence in a lovely art." Cosway’s works may be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Wallace Collection, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the British Museum, and the private collection of Her Majesty the Queen, as well as many other public and private collections. Dimensions: 2 7/8 x 2 ½ inches.

Top ^

*******************

The primary references used for the artist biographies on the listings are: Miniatures Dictionary and Guide by Daphne Foskett,
American Portrait Miniatures in The Manney Collection, by Dale Johnson and The Miniature in Europe, by Leo Schidlof.

Copyright © Christine Archibald Portrait Miniatures. All rights reserved.
Photography by alanhostetterdp.com
WebSite Services by Studio2net.com