The Basket Hilt

It is uncommon for sitters’ hands to be shown on portrait miniatures – indeed few miniaturists could paint them naturalistically – and even more uncommon to see the hilt of a sword. Standing in a relaxed pose, this young officer rests his arm on the basket hilt of his sword, the style of which has been expertly identified as a Scottish sword. A classical stone column and shrubbery add depth to the composition.

The portrait is characteristic of Scouler’s precise draughtsmanship and his ability to capture the essence of a large-scale oil portrait in a miniature. It is set in the original gold bracelet style frame with a later brooch pin.

The son of a Scottish organ-builder, James Scouler showed artistic talent from an early age. During the 1750s the family relocated to London where Scouler was able to study drawing and classical sculpture – stone pillars are a regular motif in his work. He was 71 when he died at his home in Bloomsbury in 1812. Scouler’s finest work, of which this is an example, is painted with great precision and aptitude.
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