JOHN BOGLE (1746-1803)

Portrait miniature of a Naval Captain, possibly Sir Edward Hughes (c.1716-1794), holding a telescope, his right arm resting on a cannon

1785
Watercolour on ivory (licence D14387J8)
Oval, 58 mm (2 ¼ in) high
Signed and dated ‘J.Bogle/1785’ (on the cannon)
Gold frame with a lock of hair in the reverse ​

SOLD

This portrait of an unknown Naval Captain sits comfortably within a wider trend of John Bogle’s miniature painting- capturing sitters with props and in unusual compositions to demonstrate their livelihoods. A particularly compelling comparison is Bogle’s portraits of Commodore George Johnstone, said to have been painted around the same period[1]. The present work is, however, smaller in size, and closer in that aspect to the portrait of John Yenn RA (1750-1821), previously sold by the Limner Company. 

In the above examples, Bogle has depicted his sitters in unconventional positions, rather than the usual face-on or side profile used by many artists in the period. Here, the Captain is surrounded by the tools of his trade- a telescope and a cannon. In case his uniform does not already make his occupation clear, Bogle has made a choice or has been asked to include further indicators. 

Despite his particularly distinctive squint, the captain, wearing full dress of Captains of less than three years’ seniority, remains unidentified. Other portraits of the same sitter may exist, as is the case with the portraits of Johnstone, though these remain unknown. He may have been involved in the American Revolutionary War, which was ended by the Treaty of Paris in the year this miniature was painted. One possible identification is Sir Edward Hughes, who became Admiral of the Blue in 1793. A portrait of him from circa 1786, in the Museum of New Zealand (The Papa Tongarewa, registration number 2006-008-1[2]), shows him with remarkably similar eyes to the Captain in the present work. However, the uniform worn here does not correspond to that of the Vice Admiral of the Blue, the position he held when Bogle painted the present work. 

John Bogle was born in Edinburgh in 1746 and trained in Glasgow. He built his career in London, producing portraits for a wide range of clients, though many of his works depict naval and army officers. He exhibited at the RA frequently between 1772 and 1794, including a self-portrait in his first year as an exhibitor.


[1]  One of these in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (PG 2353). The other was sold by Philip Mould. 

[2]  See https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/706807.
Edwin Butcher, 11 November 1968 (£150); 
Private collection.
Possibly Royal Academy, London, 1785, no. 315, as ‘Portrait of a Navy Officer’.

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Portrait miniature of a Naval Captain, possibly Sir Edward Hughes (c.1716-1794), holding a telescope, his right arm resting on a cannon

JOHN BOGLE

(1746?-1803)

Portrait miniature of a Naval Captain, possibly Sir Edward Hughes (c.1716-1794), holding a telescope, his right arm resting on a cannon

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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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