Circle of John Downman (1750-1824) Portrait Miniature of a Lady C1780 Oil on Copper

Name: Circle of John Downman (1750-1824) Portrait Miniature of a Lady C1780 Oil on Copper
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1171275
Availability: SoldOut

18th century

Sold by Fox Fine Art

Description

A delicate English School portrait, dating to c. 1780, of a young lady identified as the Right Honourable Mrs Oakley. The painting exemplifies John Downman’s subtle manner. Many of his works are unsigned and unrecognised. His sitters often appear somewhat rigid and angular with fine, refined features traits reflected in the restrained elegance of this piece. Downman frequently worked in a small, oval format and commonly painted on copper.

John Downman was born in Ruabon, Denbighshire, North Wales. Despite coming from a land-locked county, he was briefly press-ganged into His Majesty’s Navy in his youth; after escaping he made his way to Cambridge and ultimately settled in London. A popular portraitist of his day, he painted many members of the social and cultural elite and was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy.

Provenance:

Previously with Bonham’s 07/03/2012.

Condition.

Small paint flake, see image, otherwise in good sound original condition. The frame is probably 19th century and is pleasantly distressed.

Size

Oil on copper

18cm x 14cm (26 x 22cm framed)

7 x 5 1/2in. (10 x 8.5 inches framed)

Physical Dimensions

Height

18cm (7.09")

Width

14cm (5.51")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Fox Fine Art has dated this piece to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1171275

Dealers Internal Reference

11853

Dealers Notes

Description

“

His sitters often appear somewhat rigid and angular with fine, refined features traits reflected in the restrained elegance of this piece.

Fox Fine Art

Downman frequently worked in a small, oval format and commonly painted on copper.

fig 1. Circle of John Downman (1750-1824) Portrait Miniature of a Lady c1780 Oil on Copper — fig 1. Circle of John Downman (1750-1824) Portrait Miniature of a Lady C1780 Oil on Copper

John Downman was born in Ruabon, Denbighshire, North Wales. Despite coming from a land-locked county, he was briefly press-ganged into His Majesty’s Navy in his youth; after escaping he made his way to Cambridge and ultimately settled in London. A popular portraitist of his day, he painted many members of the social and cultural elite and was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy.