JOHN BARRY (fl. 1784-1827)

Portrait miniature of an Officer, wearing scarlet coat with yellow facings and silver epaulettes, black stock and white cravat, his hair powdered

circa late 1780s.
Watercolour on ivory (licence VFAX8DWX)
Oval, 81mm (3 ¹/₄ in) high
Gilt metal frame with twisted rope outer border

£7,500

'Being painted in one’s military outfit was a popular choice for men having their miniatures taken, and a commission like the present work may have been intended as a departing gift from a soldier to their wife or family, as a way to remember them while they were gone.'
This portrait has the distinct ‘brownish shading’ and ‘angular eyebrows’ which Foskett (1987) lists as being characteristics of the work of John Barry, a rather elusive artist working in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It is known that Barry exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1784 and 1827, and that he was highly skilled as a miniature painter. Barry’s oeuvre is often confused with that of Thomas Hazlehurst (c.1740-c.1821), as he did not often sign his works. 

It has not been possible to identify the officer in this portrait, or his uniform. Being painted in one’s military outfit was a popular choice for men having their miniatures taken, and a commission like the present work may have been intended as a departing gift from a soldier to their wife or family, as a way to remember them while they were gone. There were many destinations for a British officer in the 1780s, including India and America, where the events of the Revolutionary War were unfolding. 

The background of this portrait is particularly striking, and an example of how artists were able to vary their portraits from the simple blue sky background often expected of them. This gentleman appears to be standing against a sky threatening storm, specked with warm browns, greys, and touches of blue emerging from the clouds.

Félix Doistau Collection, Paris;
Greta Shield Heckett (1899-1976) Collection, Heckmeres Highlands, Valencia, Pennsylvania;
Her sale, Sotheby's, London, 11 July 1977, lot 176;
Christies, London, 22 November 1999, lot 96; 
Private collection.
L. Schidlof, The Miniature in Europe, Graz 1964 II, p. 912, illustrated III pl.36 no 64;
J Nimmergut & A. M. Wager, Miniaturen, Dosen, Munich 1982, illustrated p. 106, no. 1. 

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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 an Officer, wearing scarlet coat with yellow facings and silver epaulettes, black stock and white cravat, his hair powdered

JOHN BARRY (fl. 1784-1827)

Portrait miniature of an Officer, wearing scarlet coat with yellow facings and silver epaulettes, black stock and white cravat, his hair powdered

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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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