JOHN SMART (1741-1811)

Portrait miniature of a Miss Goulburn, wearing a décolleté blue dress, her brown hair worn upswept

1776
4 cm (1 ⁵/₈ inches)
Watercolour on ivory
Ivory registration no: 7SNN66RE 
Gold frame
Signed and dated, ‘J.S. / 1776’

SOLD

“ This well-preserved portrait shows Smart exploiting the medium of watercolour on ivory to full effect. This young subject’s skin has a luminescent quality which can only be achieved through the most masterful technique on ivory…”
This sitter can be identified by a named preparatory drawing previously in the collection of the artist’s great-grandson, William Henry Bose Esq. [1] Miss Goulburn, as well as a Mr Goulburn (presumably the sitter’s father), are also recorded in Daphne Foskett’s monograph on the artist. [2]

It has not been possible to find a certain identity for ‘Miss’ Goulburn in the records, but the sitter was possibly Sarah Goulburn, sister of Munbee Goulburn (1756-1793), who in 1782 was married to Susannah, daughter of William Chetwynd, 4th Viscount Chetwynd, and his wife Susannah Cope.

Smart’s preparatory drawings were likely left in the artist’s studio after his death. Many were still in the possession of Smart’s descendants until being sold at auction in the early 20th century. Unlike Smart’s finished miniatures, the drawings are often inscribed with the sitters’ names and are a valuable source for art historians.

This well-preserved portrait shows Smart exploiting the medium of watercolour on ivory to full effect. This young subject’s skin has a luminescent quality which can only be achieved through the most masterful technique on ivory. On close examination, the faintest lilac undertones and a subtle pink blush on her cheeks make up the much-desired alabaster complexion of the age.


[1] By whom the drawing was sold at Christie’s London, 15 February 1937, lot 23. It was then offered by Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd (no.9069), before being recorded in Christie’s Orchardleigh Park sale, 21-22 September, 1987, lot 335.

[2] Foskett, D., John Smart: The Man and His Miniatures (Cory, Adams & Mackay, London), 1964, p.67.
Private collection, UK.  
Foskett, D., John Smart: The Man and His Miniatures (Cory, Adams & Mackay, London), 1964, p.67.

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 a Miss Goulburn, wearing a décolleté blue dress, her brown hair worn upswept

JOHN SMART

(1741-1811)

Portrait miniature of a Miss Goulburn, wearing a décolleté blue dress, her brown hair worn upswept

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