Lot 173
Samuel Shelley (British, 1750-1808). Duchess of Montagu, watercolor on ivory, 18th century. A beautiful miniature portrait of the Duchess of Montagu, finely painted on ivory by British artist Samuel Shelley. The Duchess of Montagu (1689-1751) was married to John Montagu, the 2nd Duke of Montagu, with whom she had five children. In this bust-length miniature portrait, Shelley presents the Duchess seated in a red chair and dressed in a luxurious gown adorned with fine lace. The Duchess is also bedecked with jewels - a strand of pearls around her neck, a lovely drop earring, an emerald and pearl brooch as well as a matching hair ornament. Shelley brilliantly captured her delicate visage - those crystal blue eyes, arched brows, aquiline nose, and bow lips - topped by an elegant updo and framed by her flowing veil. The portrait is mounted behind glass in a custom frame. Size (sight view): 3.875" L x 2.75" W (9.8 cm x 7 cm) Size (frame): 11.625" L x 10.5" W (29.5 cm x 26.7 cm)
Please Note: An inscription handwritten on cardboard behind the portrait reads: "Historical Portrait / Duchess Montagu / Wife of John Montagu Second / Duke of Montagu 06, 1760 / rare miniature painting / Sam Shelley / the possession of the lute / G. Drummond Esq / at tannmore / on Ivory". The date 1760 indicates that the painting was created by Shelley following the Duchess' death, perhaps after an earlier sketch or painting.
About the artist: Samuel Shelley was born in Whitechapel, London. Shelley first exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1773 and entered the Royal Academy Schools where Sir Joshua Reynolds' work greatly influenced him. Shelley achieved great success, exhibiting at the Royal Academy, the Society of Artists, and the British Institute. In addition, he was cofounder of the Watercolour Society, along with W.F. Wells, Robert Hills, W.H. Pyne, and six other artists. While Shelley painted in oil, illustrated books, and engraved some of his own works, he is best known for his miniature watercolor portraits.
Provenance: Private Arlington, Virginia, USA collection
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#183392
- Condition: Portrait is mounted behind glass in a custom frame. Painting was examined outside the frame and tested via x-ray florescence; pigments are consistent with the period and painting is on ivory. The painting is in very good condition, and there is an inscription handwritten on cardboard behind the portrait which reads: "Historical Portrait / Duchess Montagu / Wife of John Montagu Second / Duke of Montagu 06, 1760 / rare miniature painting / Sam Shelley / the possession of the lute / G. Drummond Esq / at tannmore / on Ivory". The date 1760 indicates that the painting was created by Shelley following the Duchess' death, perhaps after an earlier sketch or painting. The frame presents with some fissures, chips/losses, and surface wear as shown. Wood on verso has darkened with age and has remnants of old gallery paper.
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