MATTHEW SNELLING (1621-1678)

Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, in black habit slashed on front and sleeves to reveal white, white lawn collar with tassels, long brown curling hair; tan-coloured curtain and sky background, gold edge border

1655
Watercolour on parchment, laid down on playing card with two diamonds
Signed with initials and dated on backing card ‘M.S / 1655’
Gilt-metal frame, mother-of-pearl reverse
Oval, 61 mm (2 ³/₈ inches) high

 

SOLD

“Many of Snelling’s limning techniques may have been gleaned from Samuel Cooper (1609-1672), who was ten years his senior”.
English Miniature painter Matthew Snelling worked in London during the mid-17th century. The son of a mayor of King’s Lynn, his oeuvre is so small (covering the years 1647-1674) that some have suggested limning as a sort of diversion for the well-to-do man in the emerging upper classes. George Vertue even suggested that Snelling may have earned a living as an artist’s supplier, referencing in one of his notebooks of him supplying ‘parcels of Pink’ to Mary Beale in 1654 and 1658. Through his family, Snelling certainly would have known the Beales well and shared East Anglian connections with them and miniaturist Nathanial Thach (1617-after 1652).

One of Snelling’s miniatures appears in the Michael Rosse sale of 1723, which suggests Snelling was also acquainted with Susannah-Penelope Rosse and her artist father Richard Gibson. Working in London in the mid-17th century, privy to a central hub of court artists and artisans, would have exposed him to the most important miniature painters of the day.

Many of Snelling’s limning techniques may have been gleaned from Samuel Cooper (1609-1672), who was ten years his senior. The connection between the two men goes back to the earlier part of Cooper’s career, when he drew the young man in 1644 (whereabouts now unknown). Snelling’s style was likely most heavily influenced by English poet and miniaturist Thomas Flatman (1635-1688) – the miniature in question was reattributed to Flatman in the 1990s but has since been re-identified as Snelling. An almost identical composition by Snelling with a tan-coloured curtain and a sky background but with a female sitter was last sold at Bonhams 21 November 2007.
Captain C. G. Robinson; Sotheby’s, London, 2 May 1996, lot 7 (as by Thomas Flatman);
Edward Grosvenor Paine (1911-1989) Collection, New Orleans, La., inv. No. 366 (as by Thomas Flatman);
Christie’s, London, 28 October 1980, lot 39 (as by Matthew Snelling).

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 .

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Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, in black habit slashed on front and sleeves to reveal white, white lawn collar with tassels, long brown curling hair; tan-coloured curtain and sky background, gold edge border

MATTHEW SNELLING

(1621-1678)

Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, in black habit slashed on front and sleeves to reveal white, white lawn collar with tassels, long brown curling hair; tan-coloured curtain and sky background, gold edge border

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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.

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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.

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