Miniature with bronze frame in Neoclassical style (19th century). "Mrs. Smith (Charlotte Delaval) and her children (George, Henry, Louisa and Charlotte)". Following the work of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Possibly 19th century. Signed in the lower right corner (Reynolds). Rectangular frame arranged vertically that has a series of moldings with different decorations and a crest at the top of lacework, leaves and openwork flowers. Inside, it presents a band of cloth embroidered with plant elements, and also presents an old textile on the back to protect the work. The miniature in the center presents a natural landscape background (trees and an opening to the horizon to the right can be seen) and some figures in the foreground. A lady, elegantly dressed, raises a hand to her cheek; the three children, to his right, also appear dressed in gala and playing with each other (two of them, moreover, look towards the viewer). The miniature is closely inspired by a painting now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is a portrait of “Mrs. Smith (Charlotte Delaval) and her children (George, Henry, Louisa and Charlotte)” by Sir Joshua Reynolds (Plympton 1723-London, 1792) in 1787 (Inventory 25.110.10). Engravings of this painting are known to have been made (Francesco Bartolozzi in 1789; R. Josey in 1880) and an oval miniature closely modeled on it by Samuel Shelley (1750/56-1808) (Lady Smith is hatless in same) and which is in a private collection (sold by Sotheby's in London in 1977). The clearest changes in the miniature, with respect to Sir Joshua's work, are the color of Mrs. Smith's dress, the children's faces (more delicate), the landscape in the background, the general tone of the work and the addition of the flowers in the lower right corner. In another private collection is a miniature (British Frank W. Wilkin) showing the three children of Sir Robert Smith and Lady Charlotte, also inspired by the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Samuel Shelley was born in London, and was a largely self-taught artist, best known for his watercolor portrait miniatures. He first exhibited his work at the 1773 Society of Artists, entering the Royal Academy Schools a year later, where his work was influenced by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Many private collections around the world, such as the Yale Center for British Art, the National Portrait Gallery in London, the Royal Collection of the British Royal Family, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, etc., preserve his work. Francis William Wilkin, or Frank Wilkin (1791-1842) was an engraver specializing in portrait painting who began by working with miniatures, although he also dealt with other genres.
· Size: 19x13 cms / 37x25 cms.
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