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John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1139349
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2020
Browse dealers 86 items
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    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
Id #SA1139349
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John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788

18th century
Description

The ‘most perfect likenesses’ were assured by John Miers, a master of his craft, who preferred the simplicity of a black profile without embellishment. Painted in a pigment made from pine-soot and small-beer, his black profiles contrast well against the white plaster base with costume details, such as this gentleman’s frilled cravat, achieved by thinning the pigment. The same technique has been used to add texture to his frizzed toupée and the ends of his bound pigtail.

The silhouette is set behind flat glass in the original brass-faced frae and is backed with the artist’s complete trade label no. 6 in use around 1788.

Miers first painted silhouettes in 1781 whilst working alongside his father in his paint preparation business in Leeds. Early success persuaded Miers to make profile painting his full-time career whereupon he travelled to numerous towns and cities to extend his clientele. In 1791 Miers moved to London where he set up what was to become a successful and long-running profile studio on the Strand.

Framed Size: 112 x 99mm

Provenance: The Christie Collection

Physical Dimensions
Height
11cm (4.33")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1139349
Dealers Internal Reference
TC528
Dealers Notes

All prices include UK postage. International shipping will be at cost.

Description
The ‘most perfect likenesses’ were assured by John Miers, a master of his craft, who preferred the simplicity of a black profile without embellishment. Painted in a pigment made from pine-soot and small-beer, his black profiles contrast well against the white plaster base with costume details, such as this gentleman’s frilled cravat, achieved by thinning the pigment.
“
The same technique has been used to add texture to his frizzed toupée and the ends of his bound pigtail.
Wigs on the Green
fig 1. John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788
fig 1. John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788

The silhouette is set behind flat glass in the original brass-faced frae and is backed with the artist’s complete trade label no. 6 in use around 1788.

Miers first painted silhouettes in 1781 whilst working alongside his father in his paint preparation business in Leeds. Early success persuaded Miers to make profile painting his full-time career whereupon he travelled to numerous towns and cities to extend his clientele. In 1791 Miers moved to London where he set up what was to become a successful and long-running profile studio on the Strand.

Framed Size: 112 x 99mm

Provenance: The Christie Collection

Height
11cm (4.33")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1139349
Dealers Internal Ref
TC528
Wigs on the Green
Wigs on the Green
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2020

Small portraiture of character & historical interest

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Wigs on the Green Profile Page

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John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788
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Archive I John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788

John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788

Archive II John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788 View II
Archive III John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788 View III
Enlarged Archival View
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green
Telephone 07962 257915
Location
York
Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/wigsonthegreen
Verified Since May 2020
Items For Sale 86
Items Sold 310
Wigs on the Green
Wigs on the Green
Verified Since May 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/wigsonthegreen
Verified
May 2020
For Sale
86
Sold
310
John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788
John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788
Ref: SA1139349
John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail

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