WILLIAM WOOD

(1769-1810)

Portrait miniature of an Unknown Gentleman, wearing blue coat with black collar

Watercolour on ivory
Gilded metal locket, the reverse with gold sprig of flowers on opalescent glass
Oval, 73mm. (2 7/8 in.) high

£3,650

"Upon close inspection, lines that almost appear to be scratches have been used across the face and hair to create shape, by adding some lightness within the areas that they appear."
William Wood lived a short life but filled it with the production of miniatures and watercolours like the present work. A detailed record of his work as a miniature painter can be found within George Williamson’s The Miniature Collector (1821). Williamson, who owned a set of ledgers created by Wood in his life, published in this book a list of sitter’s names, and it is possible that the sitter in this miniature is amongst them. Unfortunately, though the original ledgers did have traces that could have allowed for a connection, these are not accessible today and it has not been possible to identify the gentleman in this portrait.

Wood was a member of numerous societies, having trained at the Royal Academy Schools, and later becoming a founding member of the Society of Associated Artists in Watercolour. The latter was an attempt to bring together miniaturists and more ‘traditional’ watercolour painters, given that this was a medium which was commonly used by miniature painters at the time. In fact, Williamson records that in the last few years of his life, Wood became fonder of painting just watercolours, rather than portrait miniatures specifically.

This portrait has been painted using a technique typical of Wood; using both small dots and small brush strokes to create texture. Upon close inspection, lines that almost appear to be scratches have been used across the face and hair to create shape, by adding some lightness within the areas that they appear.
 
Private Collection (before 1979) then in the D.M. Cato Collection 1979-2012;
by family descent until 2014;
Private Collection.
 

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 .

you may also like