Open IIIF manifest What is IIIF IIIF viewers

Portrait of Mary (1776-1857), the fourth daughter of George III

Maker

(artist)
1742-1821

Title

Date of Production

(circa) 1780 - 1790

Medium

graphite and watercolour on laid paper, laid down on card
Watemark: none.

Dimensions

Height: 20 cm
Width: 15.2 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.3561

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords

Label Text

Miniature portraiture in graphite on vellum had been popular in Britain since the late 17th century; the fine detail of such drawings had great appeal, whilst vellum was more prestigious, as well as longer-lasting, than paper. During the 18th century the substitution of paper for vellum provided a support large enough for full-length portraits such as this; many miniaturists such as Cosway increased their clientele by producing pencil portraits, often touched with watercolour as here, as a cheaper alternative to miniatures on ivory.

Cosway built up a practice as a portrait painter and enjoyed the patronage of the Prince of Wales and other leaders of fashion. His drawings are usually small full-length figures sketchily executed with the heads more highly finished, as in this example. The portrait has been drawn in graphite with only the lightest of watercolour touches to highlight the cheeks, lips and eyes.

Provenance

anonymous sale, Sotheby's (London), 19 April 1944, lot 43 (as 'Portrait of George IV as a child'); purchased there by Colnaghi (London) on behalf of Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952); Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

A Passion for Drawings, Collectors at the Courtauld, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 28/02/2002-09/06/2002

1776: the British story of the American Revolution, National Maritime Museum, London, 14/04/1976-02/10/1976

Regency Exhibition, Brighton, 1951

Literature

Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 13

1776: the British story of the American Revolution, National Maritime Museum, London, 14 April - 2 October 1976, 1976
cat. no. 120
ill.

Inscriptions

Inscription: Mount (removed): "By Cosway / Duchess of Gloucester".

Collector's mark: none.

Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that might be present in our records. To help improve this record, and to enquire about images of The Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk. Find out more about using and licensing our images.

____________________________

Buy a print from our collection