Scottish-English Artist: James Scouler

Georgian Era British Army Officer

Scottish-English
circa 1780
attributed to James Scouler* (1740-1812)

1 1/8 x 1 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gilt metal pendant frame with a burnished gold bezel (partially damaged on some edges)

*Portrait miniatures by James Scouler typically bear a discreet signature and date by the artist at the far left or right edges of the ivory. It is believed that such a signature and date once appeared on this portrait, but they have been obscured by water damage, particularly noticeable along the right edge.

About the Artist: James Scouler was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the second of four children (all sons) of James Scouler, Sr. and Grizel Fyfe. His father was a harpsichord maker and owned a music shop in Edinburgh. The family relocated to London in the 1750s, where James studied at the St. Martin's Lane Academy and the Duke of Richmond's Gallery. In 1755, at the young age of 15, he was awarded a premium (a cash award) for drawing by the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Exhibited at the Incorporated Society of Artists (1761-1768), the Free Society of Artists (1767), and the Royal Academy of Arts (1780-1787). Executed miniature portraits in watercolor on ivory, larger portraits in pastels and pencil-drawn portraits. His miniatures are finely painted and his subject's clothes, in particular, are detailed and often quite colorful. During the last three decades of his life, he lived on Great Russell Street in London's posh Bloomsbury district, where he was attended to by a staff of servants -- offering a testament to his success as a Georgian Era painter of the highest regard. Listed by Benezit, Blättel (pages 822, 823), Foskett (pages 640, 641) and Schidlof (pages 742, 743).*

Other portraits in the Tormey-Holder Collection by James Scouler
(click photo for larger view and additional information):

Georgian Era Gentleman
Wearing a Brown Coat and Matching Waistcoat

Georgian Era Gentleman
Identified by the Monogrammed Initials "WJ"

Georgian Era Lady with Long Hair,
Partially Draped over Her Shoulder