Antique miniature portraits of the Tormey-Holder Collection

 

 


Scottish-English Artist: James Scouler

 

 

Portrait miniature by James Scouler of a Georgian Era gentleman identified by the monogrammed initials "W.J."

Georgian Era Gentleman
Identified by the Initials "WJ"

Scottish-English
dated 1794
by James Scouler (1740-1812)
(signed obverse, extreme right edge, "Scouler 1794")

1 3/4 x 2 1/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gilt metal pendant frame
with hairwork and a gold, monogram cipher to the reverse

Formerly a holding of the Comerford Collection (John and Pauline Comerford) and exhibited May - September, 2009, at the Irish Architectural Archive, Dublin, Ireland

 

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):

 

Portrait miniature by James Scouler of a Georgian Era British Army Officer

Georgian Era British Army Officer

 

 

Portrait miniature by James Scouler of a Georgian Era gentleman wearing a brown coat and matching waistcoat

Georgian Era Gentleman
Wearing a Brown Coat and Matching Waistcoat

 

 

Portrait miniature by James Scouler of a Georgian Era lady with long hair partially draped over her shoulder

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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