Regency Portrait of a Young Man - Watercolor Miniature Painting - Unknown British Artist - Late 18th - Early 19th Century

 

        Those of you who have been following my blog know that I am very fond of a well executed portrait. Several weeks ago I was wondering around the halls of eBay UK when I found a well executed late 18th - early 19th Century miniature watercolor portrait of a dapper young man, obviously a member of the haut ton of English Society. I programmed a bid and won the auction and a few days ago it arrived. The work is extraordinary in the detail of the sitter and is a beautiful example of the early 19th century miniaturist's work. There is a very light pencil underdrawing detectable on the surface of the paper, especially around the face of the sitter.  The tiny painting measures just three inches by four inches but is packed full of brush stroke detail and has to be the work of a well trained late 18th - early 19th century artist. I have examined it under high magnification and yes it is a watercolor and not a print. Examination under UV light shows no detectable in-painting or repairs to the image. I have searched the painting for a signature but it appears to be unsigned, at least on the front. It is adhered to the case and I would not even contemplate trying to remove it from the mount.  Enjoy.