GERVASE SPENCER (c.1715-1763)

Portrait miniature of Charles Fitzroy (1737-97), 1st Lord Southampton, semi-profile to the left, wearing state coat of an officer of the 1st Foot Guards, with blue facings and gold lace, gilded brass gorget, and a crimson sash, 1759

1759
Watercolour on ivory (licence 867CYMD9)
Signed and dated ‘G. S/ 1759’, left
Oval, 32 mm (1 ¹/₄ in) high

£1,850

Charles Fitzroy, here wearing the state coat of an officer of the 1st Foot Guards, held this position between 1752 and 1762. During his time in the regiment, he rose from Ensign (March 1752) to Lieutenant and Captain (from June 1756), then to Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel (from May 1758). Fitzroy fought in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) – at the battles of Minden and Vellinghausen – before beginning a political career which resulted in a peerage in 1780. 

This work is rather similar to a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) in the Royal Collection (RCIN 400974), dated circa 1760. Gervase Spencer was close to Reynolds, and there is an untraced portrait by him of Spencer at work. The Royal Collection portrait of Fitzroy is dated to c.1760- Fitzroy first sat for Reynolds in this year. The present work instead comes from 1759, and it is possible that Fitzroy chose to pose in the same manner for Reynolds because he liked how this looked in Spencer’s hand. 

Gervase Spencer was a gentleman’s servant before discovering a talent for art. Although self-taught, his work caught the eye of George Vertue, who described him in 1740 as ‘a young man […] who […] a few years ago was in the capacity of a footman to Dr. W[…] - and now professes liming with some success […] in a curious neat manner and masterly’. His work was commissioned by the royal family, and a portrait miniature of George III is in the Royal Collection at Windsor.

We are grateful to Dr J. A. Houlding for their military expertise.
Private collection. 

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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 Charles Fitzroy (1737-97), 1st Lord Southampton, semi-profile to the left, wearing state coat of an officer of the 1st Foot Guards, with blue facings and gold lace, gilded brass gorget, and a crimson sash, 1759

GERVASE SPENCER

(c.1715-1763)

Portrait miniature of Charles Fitzroy (1737-97), 1st Lord Southampton, semi-profile to the left, wearing state coat of an officer of the 1st Foot Guards, with blue facings and gold lace, gilded brass gorget, and a crimson sash, 1759

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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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