WERNER HASSEL (fl.circa 1686)

Portrait miniature of Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham (c.1641-1709), facing right in gilt-studded armour, lace cravat and wearing the Sash of the St. Esprit

1686
Watercolour on parchment
Signed with monogram and dated 1686
Oval, 4 in (102 mm) high
 

£8,500

“Although little is known of his life, his popularity is apparent through the many engravings and mezzotints which have been made of his work.”
According to art historian and art dealer Leo R. Schidlof, portrait miniaturist Werner Hassel was ‘a skillful artist whose works are rare … well drawn and have character’.[1] Born in Germany, Hassel came to London in the late seventeenth century to train under the pre-eminent contemporary court painter, Sir Godfrey Kneller. Seemingly impressed by his gifted young pupil, Kneller painted Hassel’s portrait in a likeness that was subsequently engraved by Pieter Schenck the Elder.[2] 

Hassel demonstrated versatility in his ability to work with watercolours and enamels on a miniature scale and to produce full-length likenesses in oils. Although little is known of his life, his popularity is apparent through the many engravings and mezzotints which have been made of his work, including Peter Vanderbank’s engraving after Hassel’s portrait of John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, leader of the Jacobite forces at the disastrous Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715.[3]

Diarist George Vertue, writing in the mid-eighteenth century, states that Hassel trained the prominent landscape artist, George Lambert; until further evidence for this claim is discovered, this must remain tantalisingly unconfirmed yet the anecdote does provide a telling example of the high stead in which Hassel’s work was held by his contemporaries.[4]

Hassel’s work is represented in major collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich.

The sitter, Louis de Duras, known as Durfot and later as the Marquis de Blacheforte in France, was the nephew of distinguished military leader, Marshal Turenne. He had served as ambassador in Paris from 1677 to 1678. Through his marriage to the daughter of George Sondes, 1st Earl, an English politician who served in the House of Commons, Duras inherited the title of Earl of Feversham, playing a crucial role as a royal adviser. Having met James, then Duke of York in 1650, he went to England in 1655, where he was naturalized and granted the title Baron Duras. He served as Lord Chamberlain to Queen Consort Catherine from 1680 until her death in 1705, and he was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to both Charles II and James II. On James II's ascension in 1685, Louis was appointed colonel of the first troop of horse guards and took command of the royal forces in the west during the Duke of Monmouth's uprising.


[1] L. R. Schidlof., The Miniature in Europe: In the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries (Austria: Akademische Druck, 1964) p.335.
[2] An example of this engraving is held at The British Museum [1943,0410.985]
[3] An example of this engraving is held at National Galleries Scotland [SP III 101.1]
[4] G. Vertue, ‘Notebooks III’, Walpole Society Journal, Vol. 22 (1933-1934) p.6.
Christies, 3rd May 1993, lot 169 (Another version sold at Sotheby’s 11 October 1994 )
Schidlof, 1964, pl. 268, fig. 526

shipping notice

Worldwide shipping is included in all prices.

The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.

Some stock items contain materials from endangered species which are governed by CITES regulations and will require a permit to export outside of Great Britain. If a certificate of export is required then this will be the responsibility of and paid for by the buyer .

HeaderLogo
Portrait miniature of Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham (c.1641-1709), facing right in gilt-studded armour, lace cravat and wearing the Sash of the St. Esprit

WERNER HASSEL (fl. c.1686)

Portrait miniature of Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham (c.1641-1709), facing right in gilt-studded armour, lace cravat and wearing the Sash of the St. Esprit

This field is mandatory

 

shipping notice

The item added to cart contains materials from endangered or protected species. The Limner Company cannot arrange for the delivery of artworks containing ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother of pearl outside of the UK due to import restrictions. The buyer or designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale.

You are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of any items made from or containing certain endangered or protected species (such as ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother of pearl), while other countries will require a permit (e.g. a CITES licence). Such permits must be obtained from the relevant regulatory body in both the country of importation and exportation. If you intend to import such items into another country you should familiarise yourself with the relevant customs regulations and laws before purchase. Delays or refusal of import or export of such works shall not permit cancellation of a sale. It is your responsibility to satisfy any laws or regulations applying to the import or export of any work containing such protected species. For further information on the protected species listed please visit the CITES website:http://www.cites.org/. For further information about import and export regulations please visit:http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/. On request, the Company can assist with or apply for a license on your behalf.

Please contact us to discuss shipping options..

checkout details

Your basket exceeds the allowed online transaction limit of £10,000. Please remove an item from your basket to continue to checkout. Successive online sales totalling £10,000 are also prohibited. Please get in touch if you would like to move forward with the purchase in accordance with anti-money laundering regulation.


Under the terms of the anti-money laundering regulation we are required to conduct customer due diligence (CDD) on all sales of works of art over £10,000 before the transaction is carried out. While therefore we may agree to such a sale in principle, we will not be able to conclude (i.e. receive funds, give up possession or transfer title) it until we have received all the necessary CDD information from you and have been able to verify it as required by the regulation.

shipping TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Worldwide shipping is included in all prices.

The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.

See Section 7.5 in Terms & Conditions for information on export/import regulations. Please contact us to discuss shipping options. Some stock items contain materials from endangered species which are governed by CITES regulations and will require a permit to export outside of Great Britain. If a certificate of export is required then this will be the responsibility of and paid for by the buyer.

See Section 7.5 in Terms & Conditions for information on export/import regulations.

Please contact us to discuss shipping options.

you may also like