Earnest

This strongly delineated and expressive portrait was chosen by Daphne Foskett to illustrate the work of Thomas Richmond in her Dictionary. Set against an atmospheric sky backdrop that is typical of Richmond’s work, it depicts an earnest-looking gentleman with plump lips and a receding hairline. The style of his double-breasted coat, stepped waistcoat and standing shirt collar date the portrait to around 1810.

The portrait is set in the original gold frame with a glazed aperture reverse showing a feathered lock of hair laid on opalescent glass within a foiled blue glass surround.

Thomas Richmond studied painting under his mother’s cousin, the leading miniaturist George Engleheart. Although his technique was understandably influenced by his master, Richmond created his own recognisable style. Born at Kew in 1771 where his father, a Yorkshireman, was an innkeeper, Richmond had a successful and prolific career. Two of his sons also became successful artists.

Ivory Exemption Ref.: CR8BJ4H1