The Hon. Mr Nugent

This impressively framed silhouette was painted by John Field in 1820. By this time Field had been working in partnership with John Miers for close to three decades and had reached the highest level of skill in his work.

The profile is painted on a plaster base inscribed on the reverse with the sitter’s name, Hon. N. Nugent; this was done primarily as an aide-memoire for the artist or his assistant to prevent confusion across multiple commissions. It is also annotated with the date and the cost – Feby 1820 / 28/-. This was at the top end of their price range but no doubt reflected the high quality of the selected frame. Mr Nugent is depicted wearing a double-breasted coat, with a deep stock in a style that was made fashionable during the Regency period by Beau Brummell.

In fine and clean condition, the silhouette is handsomely presented in the original papier-mâché frame with a gilt metal slip and a heavy ormolu surround and elongated leaf hanger. The frame was most likely made by William Miers, the youngest surviving son of John Miers, whose advertised himself as an ‘ormolu miniature frame-maker, dealer and chapman’. The frame is backed with the studio trade label no.12.