Miniature Portrait after Thomas Gainsborough

Name/Title

Miniature Portrait after Thomas Gainsborough

Context

This portrait miniature of a woman with hat might be inspired by a portrait representing Mrs. Sarah Siddons by the English painter Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788, National Gallery, London, United Kingdom). This watercolor on ivory is one of a pair of miniatures in the Neill-Cochran House Museum’s collection. Its counterpart is after one of the most well-known portraits of Gainsborough representing “The Honourable Mrs Graham” in 1777 (Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland). The frame is made from bone marquetery. It is just as unique as the portrait it contains. The frames were custom designed and created to fit and enhance only the specific miniature it was designed for. Hence, frames of miniatures can come in a variety of forms and can be very sober or decorated in more sophisticated ways with precious stones and ornaments.

Acquisition

Accession

nd.056

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Artist

Thomas Gainsborough, 1727-1788 (after)