Portrait miniature of an unknown lady, traditionally identified as Anne Apsley, wearing a brown dress and blue cloak over white chemise, held together with jewels

RICHARD GIBSON (1615-1690)

Portrait miniature of an unknown lady, traditionally identified as Anne Apsley, wearing a brown dress and blue cloak over white chemise, held together with jewels

Circa 1675
Watercolour on vellum
Gilt metal frame with spiral cresting
Oval, 2 3/8 in. (60 mm) high

SOLD

'Though slightly younger than many of the Windsor Beauties, and not a sitter in any of the portraits done by Lely, the sitter here was clearly keen to be depicted in a fashionable manner.'

Historically, the sitter of this portrait has been identified as ‘Anne Apsley’. This identification has since become dissociated with the portrait, and has not been used since it was sold in 1975. It is likely that the change of sitter to just an ‘unknown lady’ has come from the fact that there are no solid records of Anne Apsley being alive in the period in which Gibson was painting, and there are therefore no visual comparisons. Often, miniatures are given names by those who have previously owned them, whether these are correct identifications or not.

Whether or not the portrait is of Anne Apsley, she has been depicted in an extremely flattering manner. By 1675, Richard Gibson had been appointed King’s Limner and was painting many important members of the court, including the King Himself. Working at the same time as him was Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), who is famed for his series of portraits called the ‘Windsor Beauties’, depicting attractive women from the court. The present miniature appears to be at least influenced by this series, especially in the grand drapery she wears. Though slightly younger than many of the Windsor Beauties, and not a sitter in any of the portraits done by Lely, the sitter here was clearly keen to be depicted in a fashionable manner.

Richard Gibson became the King’s Limner after a long and varied career, working for clients across the political spectrum of Civil War England. He was first trained in producing Tapestries at Mortlake, and later worked for the Herberts and the Canarvons. In this portrait, he has used his favoured brown, blue, and white palette, often found in his portraits of women from this period. By this point, he signed many of his works ‘RG’, for Richard Gibson, having previously signed ‘DG’, for either Dick Gibson, or Dwarf Gibson, as he was commonly known. His 3 ft 10” stature had earned him this nickname, and had made him well-known within court circles.

Sotheby's, London, 17 November 1975, lot 22;
Christie's, London, 27 November 1979, lot 96;
Collection of Dr Erika Pohl Ströher;
Her sale, Sotheby’s, London, 6 December 2018, lot 23;
With Philip Mould & Company;
Private collection, UK.

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RICHARD GIBSON

(1615-1690)

Portrait miniature of an unknown lady, traditionally identified as Anne Apsley, wearing a brown dress and blue cloak over white chemise, held together with jewels

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.

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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.