JAMES SCOULER (1741-1812)

Portrait miniature of an officer, wearing a red uniform with blue facings, with a powdered bag wig

1772
Watercolour on ivory (licence 7M2AUK7P)
Oval, 36mm (1 ½ in) high
Signed and dated ‘Scouler 1772’
Metal frame with diamond surround

SOLD

'It has not been possible to identify the exact uniform worn by this gentleman, though it can be said for certain that he was an officer of an infantry regiment.'
Scouler’s career is generally separated into two parts: before and after 1790. The present miniature, painted in 1772, falls into the first period of his career. Foskett (1994) has noted that this first period saw Scouler taking influence from his contemporary John Smart (1741-1811), and this influence is evident in the present miniature. 

Though the name of the sitter remains unknown, the miniature may have been commissioned with others of soldiers in the same year. A very similar miniature, depicting a soldier with the same epaulettes, was sold at Leo Schidlof’s auction house in October 1920. It has not been possible to identify the exact uniform worn by this gentleman, though it can be said for certain that he was an officer of an infantry regiment. 

Scouler was born to an organ manufacturer, also called James Scouler, in 1741. He grew up in Edinburgh and must have moved to London as a young teenager, given that he received a prize from the Society of Arts in 1755. Following this, he exhibited at numerous societies, including the Incorporated Society of Artists (1761-1768), the Free Society of Artists (1769), and the Royal Academy (1780-1787). 

This portrait is exemplary of Scouler’s work in this period. The officer’s face has been painted with a distinctive level of detail, and the artist’s use of long, swooping lines of watercolour is evident in the sitter’s cheek and cravat. This detail is more reserved in the officer’s clothing, meaning the eyes are drawn to his face, likely an effect intended by the artist.
Private collection. 

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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 an officer, wearing a red uniform with blue facings, with a powdered bag wig

JAMES SCOULER

(1741-1812)

Portrait miniature of an officer, wearing a red uniform with blue facings, with a powdered bag wig

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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.