Lot 525
AN 18TH CENTURY PLUMBAGO PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART
BY JAMES FERGUSON (1710-1776)
Auction: Day Two | Thursday 20 August from 10am | Lots 199 - 555
Description
The oval half-length portrait of Prince Charles wearing tartan coat, garter sash and thistle breast badge, in turned wooden frame
Dimensions
5.1cm high
Provenance
The Jacobites and Their Adversaries, Christie’s Glasgow 12th June 1996, lot 174
Gardner Galleries 25th & 26th June 2006, lot 63 (part)
Footnote
While miniatures of Prince Charles are anything but rare, features of this example make it virtually unique.
It must be considered one of the few portrait miniatures which can be attributed with confidence to a Scottish artist working in Edinburgh at the time Charles was present in the city. While there is no suggestion it was produced from life it was likely created at the time after original work by Strange or Ramsay, both of whom Charles sat for.
It shows close comparison to an example in the Drambuie Collection (see Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites, National Museum of Scotland 2018, item 164) although this example very unusually shows no order of chivalry. The image of the Prince in tartan jacket usually shows him wearing orders of chivalry, most the Order of The Thistle. This deliberate use of orders was portraying him as a Scottish Noble working for the Scottish cause. While more commonly south of the Border he is seen in red jacket with Order of the Garter showing and competing for his right against the Hanoverian royal family.
The medium in which it is executed, Plumbago, the use of graphite or ink on vellum, has only been recorded rarely for an image of the Prince. James Ferguson is seen producing various miniatures in this way mainly of unknown gentlemen or lady sitters, likely Edinburgh society and political figures.
The fine quality and virtually monochrome palate gives a subtle but bold representation of the sitter and the fine detail imparted by the technique adds to the appreciation when viewed in detail.