PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN IN ARMOUR, FOLLOWER OF RICHARD GIBSON (ENGLISH 1615-1690)
CIRCA 1660-1680
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Auction: Day 2 - Thurs 15th May from 10am | Lots 314 to 602
Description
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, the sitter wearing plate armour comprised of cuirass and spaulders secured with rivets, elaborately tied with linen cravat and flowing wig, mounted in a glazed brass frame, with scroll surmount
Dimensions
7cm high, 5.5cm wide
Provenance
Collection of a Scottish Borders gentleman
Footnote
Richard Gibson (known as Dwarf Gibson in his circle), was born in Cumberland and worked as an apprentice in a tapestry works before entering the household of Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke. By 1639, he was employed in the court as a Page of the Back-Stairs, experiencing great popularity with King Charles I. Through the catalogue of Abraham van der Doort, keeper of the Royal Collection, we know that by this point Gibson was actively painting, for the former recounts the artist copying the Picture of 'Venus and Adonis, and Cupid with some dogs' by Peter Oliver after Titian. Following Pembroke's death, Gibson attached himself to Charles, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon, Pembroke's grandson, and throughout the Interregnum painted many people of that circle including Elizabeth Capell, Countess of Carnarvon [V&A no.P.15-1926]. By the Restoration, Gibson was tremendously successful and by the late 1660s he had changed his signature from 'DG', for 'Dwarf' or maybe 'Dick', to 'RG' for 'Richard', a pertinent display of his new status. After Cooper's death, Gibson was pronounced the King's Limner, however one year later was succeeded by Nicholas Dixon (1660-1708), and was appointed drawing-master to the Duke of York's daughters. Gibson had five surviving children by his wife Anne, including most notably Susannah-Penelope Rosse (1652-1700), a successful portrait miniaturist who, as well as painting copies of works by Samuel Cooper (1609-1672), had a prestigious clientele of her own.