A George III portrait miniature, the oval quarter length portrait in oils on velum of a gentleman with grey hair (apparently his own) and wearing a blue frock coat with a black collar and a generous cravat and with a shaded background, in a rectangular gilt brass frame decorated with leaves around the edge, a scooped line and beaded inner edge, around a matted centre with stylised flowers at the four corners, and with an inner moulded surround, and with a gilt metal suspension loop at the top. Labelled to the papered back Peter Paillou, English circa 1790. Portrait size: 2¾” by 3½”.
Condition: Excellent, the portrait is in very good condition with no paint loss or discolouration, the frame is also in excellent condition with no wear to the gilding or damage to either. The back, which is papered, appears to be the original, is in good condition with wear and marks consistent with age. The label with the description (see photo) dates from the second half of the twentieth century. It does not appear that the painting has ever been out of its frame.
Attribution: Whilst the painting does not appear to be signed, we can be fairly certain that this is the work of Peter Paillou the Younger (1757-1832) due to certain factors: the style of the painting which ties in strongly with his earlier works, especially in the finely painted details (hair, cravat, coat) and the style of frame used, the shaded background is another feature. His father, thought to have been born in France circa 1720, was a natural history painter and illustrator, and Paillou junior practiced as a portrait painter and miniaturist in London before moving to Glasgow in around 1802, where he advertised his services, charging eight guineas for a miniature and ten guineas for a three quarter length oil portrait. His works can be found in the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, as well as the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Dimensions:
Height: 14.5cm (5¾”)
Width: 12.5cm (5”)