JOHN SMART (1741-1811)

Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Mr. Ridley, wearing a blue jacket, with lace shirt and white waistcoat embroidered with flowers and gold thread

circa 1770s
Watercolour on ivory (licence GLN1QX3N)
Oval, 45mm (1 ¾ in.) high
Gilt-metal frame with blue glass reverse

SOLD

'Intriguingly, there is an (unphotographed) sketch held by Norfolk Museums Service by Smart of a ‘Mr. Ridley’ which may be the basis for this miniature.'
Although it was Smart's practice to sign and date every miniature, this may have been an unfinished work, dating to the later 1770s. Other alternatives may be that this was a secondary version or unwanted by the client. Intriguingly, there is an (unphotographed) sketch held by Norfolk Museums Service by Smart of a ‘Mr. Ridley’ which may be the basis for this miniature. There was also an engraver named William Ridley (1764-1838) working in India at the same time as John Smart – although the sitter would be too old in the late 1770s to be the same person, they may have been related.

The detailed gold thread and delicate floral embroidery on the sitter's waistcoat are typical of Smart's painstaking attention to detail and ability to convey texture in watercolour.
Sotheby's, London, 6 June 1996, lot 39 (as ‘Mr. Ridley');
Karin Henninger-Tavcar (as ‘Mr. Ridley');
Private Collection, Germany;
Private Collection, UK.
Probably Foskett, 1964, p.73
Philip Mould & Co., London ‘John Smart; A Genius Magnified’, Emma Rutherford; Lawrence Hendra; Lindsay Stainton; Haydn Williams, 2014, pp.30-31
Philip Mould, London ‘John Smart; A Genius Magnified’, Emma Rutherford; Lawrence Hendra; Lindsay Stainton; Haydn Williams, 2014, no. 9

shipping notice

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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 .

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Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Mr. Ridley, wearing a blue jacket, with lace shirt and white waistcoat embroidered with flowers and gold thread

JOHN SMART

(1741-1811)

Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Mr. Ridley, wearing a blue jacket, with lace shirt and white waistcoat embroidered with flowers and gold thread

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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.

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