A portrait miniature of a Lady, wearing blue robes held with a jewelled clasp over white lace chemise, a black cap over her powdered hair
James Scouler (1741-1812)
“This portrait of a lady, housed in a beautiful contemporary locket frame with hair border, possibly portrays the sitter in mourning.”
Price:
£4,000
Materials:
Watercolour on ivory
Dimensions:
Oval, 1 ¾ in (44mm) high
Gold frame, the obverse with plaited hair border, the reverse glazed with blue glass
Scottish born, Scouler’s father was a harpsichord maker in their native Edinburgh. He probably learned the art of miniature painting alongside his cousin, John Brown (1749-1787) under the tutorship of William Delacour. Moving to London in 1769, he exhibited at the Royal Academy (1769-1784) a variety of works. Alongside portrait miniatures he showed drawings in chalks and crayons and he also collected works by the great pastellists, including Rosalba Carriera and Hugh Douglas Hamilton.
This portrait of a lady, housed in a beautiful contemporary locket frame with hair border, possibly portrays the sitter in mourning.