WILLIAM WOOD (1769-1810)
Portrait Miniature of an Earl, in blue coat with white waistcoat with red trim, white stock and cravat, his hair powdered; circa 1795
Watercolour on ivory (licence Q942QUD8)
Gilt-metal frame, the reverse with blue glass border surrounding central aperture to reveal initials JD and an earl's wax coronet surmount decorated with seed pearls, gold wire, and mother of pearl, the whole on plaited hair
Oval, 83mm (3 ¼ in) high
£6,500
William Wood painted over 1,200 miniatures during his career, many of which were meticulously recorded in his own ledgers. These were once owned by G. C. Williamson, who included them in his 1921 Collecting Miniatures, and can be found in the collection of the National Art Library today. Wood was born in Suffolk and worked in many different parts of Britain, most notably London. Here, he exhibited at the Royal Academy and the British Institution.
Within his ledgers, Wood listed the sizes of ivory ovals he was using as the base for his portraits. The present work is a size ‘7’, the second largest of those listed. It can be dated to the mid-1790s, given the sitter’s powdered, but loosely worn, hair. Wood has used his characteristic short strokes in the background and face of the unidentified sitter, which contrasts with the smooth surface created with the paint on his clothing below. This draws attention to the extreme detail in the sitter’s face, which has been executed finely. The same technique is repeated in a similar miniature at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (P.91-1931).
Historically, the gentleman in this portrait has been identified as an Earl. This suggestion comes from the wax earl’s coronet which decorates the reverse. Without any further information about the sitter, it is not possible to identify them. One possibility is ‘Mr John Dougan’ exhibited by Wood at the Royal Academy in 1799; however, it is not likely that Wood would have addressed his sitter in this way if he was an earl.
Wood died at a relatively young age, and towards the end of his life turned his interests to architecture and landscape gardening. He published an essay on the former, An Essay on National and Sepulchral Monuments in 1808, and included plans for the latter in the manuscripts he left alongside his ledgers.
Private Collection.
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WILLIAM WOOD
(1769-1810)Portrait Miniature of an Earl, in blue coat with white waistcoat with red trim, white stock and cravat, his hair powdered; circa 1795
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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