Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the Georgian era.
This example depicts a distinguished-looking officer in a bound pigtail wig and military uniform with a cross belt and epaulette.
Set within a gold verre églomisé border, the profile is presented in its original papier-mâché frame.
The silhouette artist John Lea was born in 1768, probably in Portsmouth; he married a local girl, Elizabeth Nelson. Settling at Grand Parade, Portsmouth, they had four sons and five daughters, though three children did not survive infancy. Trade directories list John Lea as a glazier. At some point after 1814, the family upped sticks and moved to London and it was there that he died in 1828 at the age of 60. His obituary described him as a man of ‘superior natural intelligence’ with excellent ‘conversational talents’, ‘unaffected piety’ and a ‘benevolence of character’.
Framed Size: 157 x 141mm
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the Georgian era.
Small portraiture of character & historical interest
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Wigs on the Green Profile Page
Fine Silhouette of an Officer by Lea of Portsmouth
