A portrait miniature of a Gentleman

“George Engleheart is considered to be one of the most distinguished miniaturists of the late Georgian period alongside Cosway, Smart and Humphry, and was one of the most prolific miniaturists ever known.”

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A portrait miniature of a Gentleman, wearing grey coat with large patterned buttons

Gold frame with beaded border

George Engleheart is considered to be one of the most distinguished portrait miniaturists of the late Georgian period alongside Cosway, Smart and Humphry, and was one of the most prolific portrait miniaturists ever known. He was born in Kew, the son of a German plaster modeller. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools under Reynolds and the landscape painter George Barret. Engleheart’s skill and industry as a portrait miniaturist appealed to George III, and in 1789 he was appointed Miniature Painter to the King. He painted at least twenty-five portrait miniatures of the King and many others of the royal family. He spent most of his career working in London where he built up an excellent reputation.

This portrait miniature of a Gentleman by Engleheart dates from the 1780s, his ‘middle phase’ as an artist, when he had gained in confidence and his characteristic and highly accomplished style evolved. As is typical of Engleheart throughout his career, this unknown gentleman is painted with large, deep eyes. The sunset background is rather unusual as most of his portrait miniature subjects are shown against a simple setting of one colour.