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
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.
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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.