Object Detail
Description
portrait miniature of Master Jolly, oval miniature painting on ivory, housed in a bronzed wood frame with gilded rebate. Convex glass covers the image. The frame is surmounted by a brass hanging ring. Portrait of a young boy with a black and white spaniel in a landscape setting. The boy is kneeling on his right knee, he holds the dogs shin in his right hand; his left arm is placed around the dog's neck with four fingers of his hand are depicted on the dog's neck. The boy directs his gaze at the viewer. The dog's head is raised and looks directly at the boy's face. The blond, rosecheeked boy wears a beige-pink jacket which is tried at the edges with blue ribbon and the sleeves pierced above the elbow. His knee breeches are in the same material which appears to be silk. A fine white lace open necked collar spreads across his shoulders, the cuffs of the jacket are also tried with lace. A wide blue band of ribbon is tied around his waist and the extravagant bow and tail extend out behind his hip and leg. The blue ribbon also is tied at the knees and in the boy's shoes he wears white lace. In the foreground is the boy's chapeau with upturned brim, adorned with blue ribbon and a large feather. The boy and dog are positioned in front of a tree, possibly an oak, which creates a foreground composition and frames the figure by highlighting it against the dark background of the trunk. The tree trunk is darkly painted in a heavy stipple. A red flower of trumpet form with heart-shaped leaves climbs the trunk. The middle ground is lighter in tone, possibly depicting a wheat field after harvest. Space is further defined by the blending of landscape features; a fence dividing the field from the trees, leads to a vista of rolling hills, and a distant hill in the horizon. The sky is stippled. The branches and leaves which dominate the upper part of the picture are green and gold-suggesting that the time of year may relate to the harvest and the autumn.
Maker and role
artist: James Scouler (English, b.circa 1740, d.1812)
Production place
London, England
Production date
1783
Media description
watercolour on ivory, wood, gilded, convex glass
Measurements
100 x 85 mm (oval)
Inscriptions
Signed and dated on the front 'Scouler' | Verso: "Walter Jolly / J. Scouler pinxt / 1783" | A photocopy of this verso inscription has been adhered to the frame.
Credit line
Foundation Collection, 1989
Project credit line
This digital record has been made available on TJC Collection Online through a significant donation from the OPENING DOORS fund, the generous support of The Friends of The Johnston Collection, and Digitisation Champion Christine Bell
Accession number
A0777
TJC reference number
988