Nathaniel Hone the Edler R.A. 1718-1784
Portrait of a Lady, 1753
Signed in monogram and dated: NH / 1753
Watercolour on ivory with gouache highlights
Framed in a gold locket setting, 3.5 x 2.4 cm.
Provenance: Collection of the late Mrs Pamela Fegan.
This unknown lady is depicted wearing pearl earrings and is fashionably dressed for 1753 in a powdery mauve dress. Hone used tiny linear brushstrokes of watercolour and dotted stipple in the shading of the face. For the details of dress, hair and jewellery he mixed gum arabic with gouache to help the paint stick to the surface. This created a very slightly raised effect. Miniatures were worn as jewellery and this one would have been worn around the neck on a gold chain or black ribbon. Nathaniel Hone was born in Dublin but spent most of his career in London whilst making frequent visits to Ireland. He occupies a significant place in the history of miniature portrait painting. Hone’s contribution to the technical development of painting on enamel and in watercolour and gouache on ivory and his virtuosity as a miniaturist has not been given sufficient attention in accounts of his life and work. Hone is known as an oil painter and founder member of the Royal Academy.
Dr Paul Caffrey
Portrait of a Lady, 1753
Signed in monogram and dated: NH / 1753
Watercolour on ivory with gouache highlights
Framed in a gold locket setting, 3.5 x 2.4 cm.
Provenance: Collection of the late Mrs Pamela Fegan.
This unknown lady is depicted wearing pearl earrings and is fashionably dressed for 1753 in a powdery mauve dress. Hone used tiny linear brushstrokes of watercolour and dotted stipple in the shading of the face. For the details of dress, hair and jewellery he mixed gum arabic with gouache to help the paint stick to the surface. This created a very slightly raised effect. Miniatures were worn as jewellery and this one would have been worn around the neck on a gold chain or black ribbon. Nathaniel Hone was born in Dublin but spent most of his career in London whilst making frequent visits to Ireland. He occupies a significant place in the history of miniature portrait painting. Hone’s contribution to the technical development of painting on enamel and in watercolour and gouache on ivory and his virtuosity as a miniaturist has not been given sufficient attention in accounts of his life and work. Hone is known as an oil painter and founder member of the Royal Academy.
Dr Paul Caffrey
Portrait of a Lady, 1753
Signed in monogram and dated: NH / 1753
Watercolour on ivory with gouache highlights
Framed in a gold locket setting, 3.5 x 2.4 cm.
Provenance: Collection of the late Mrs Pamela Fegan.
This unknown lady is depicted wearing pearl earrings and is fashionably dressed for 1753 in a powdery mauve dress. Hone used tiny linear brushstrokes of watercolour and dotted stipple in the shading of the face. For the details of dress, hair and jewellery he mixed gum arabic with gouache to help the paint stick to the surface. This created a very slightly raised effect. Miniatures were worn as jewellery and this one would have been worn around the neck on a gold chain or black ribbon. Nathaniel Hone was born in Dublin but spent most of his career in London whilst making frequent visits to Ireland. He occupies a significant place in the history of miniature portrait painting. Hone’s contribution to the technical development of painting on enamel and in watercolour and gouache on ivory and his virtuosity as a miniaturist has not been given sufficient attention in accounts of his life and work. Hone is known as an oil painter and founder member of the Royal Academy.
Dr Paul Caffrey