An exquisite English portrait miniature from the late Georgian period, dating to circa 1800 and attributed to the British miniature painter Samuel Shelley (1750–1808). The work depicts a young gentleman of refined appearance, shown in a half-length portrait, with his face turned slightly to one side and his gaze directed towards the viewer. His eyes are blue-grey, his cheeks have a delicate rosy tint, and his expression is serene, with a hint of a smile. His light-coloured, silver-grey hair is combed forward in short, soft curls, in accordance with men's fashion in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The gentleman is dressed in a dark coat with a high collar and a white neckcloth wrapped around his neck, with a black fabric ornament visible at the front. The background, in shades of greenish-grey, emphasises the sitter's face and fair flesh tones, giving the portrait a balanced and restrained appearance. The work was executed in watercolours on a natural substrate and is characterised by delicate treatment of the facial features, soft colour transitions, and attention to the details of the hair and clothing. The Frame The miniature is mounted in an oval gilt frame with smooth and delicately decorated edges. The frame is mounted on a rectangular black display panel, surmounted by a decorative hanger with floral ornamentation, allowing the work to be hung. On the reverse of the display panel is a label bearing the artist's name, Samuel Shelley 1750–1808, as well as a red label bearing the handwritten name Engleheart. About the Artist – Samuel Shelley (1750–1808) Samuel Shelley was an English miniature painter active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and was among the recognised artists in the field of miniature portrait painting during the Georgian period. He was known for his miniature portraits in watercolour, characterised by delicate treatment of flesh tones, soft colour transitions, and meticulous depiction of facial features. Shelley also painted allegorical and mythological subjects, and his works were exhibited at art exhibitions in London. His works are held in private and museum collections, including the British Royal Collection, according to the original description. The present miniature displays characteristics consistent with the painting tradition in which Shelley worked; however, in the absence of a visible signature or additional documentation, it is appropriate to retain the attribution as *Attributed to Samuel Shelley*. Provenance and Sale History The miniature was offered for sale at Stride & Son auction house in Chichester, Sussex, England, in December 2008, as Lot 614. The sale details form part of the history of the work and make it possible to identify its appearance on the art market in that year. On the reverse of the display panel, a red label bearing the name Engleheart is also visible, which may indicate a previous attribution or a collector's marking. Its precise significance is unknown. Artistic and Collecting Significance The miniature represents the tradition of English portrait painting of the late Georgian period and is characterised by delicate facial painting, restrained colouring, and a decorative display frame. The attribution to Samuel Shelley, together with the documentation of the 2008 sale and the historical labels on the reverse, gives the work additional artistic and collecting interest. **Artist:** Attributed to Samuel Shelley (1750–1808) **Date:** Circa 1800 **Period:** Late Georgian **Country of Origin:** England **Genre:** Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman **Technique:** Watercolours on a natural substrate **Painting Dimensions:** Approximately 6.6 × 5.6 cm **Dimensions Including Frame:** Approximately 12.4 × 9.9 cm **Frame:** Oval gilt frame mounted on a black display panel **Provenance:** Stride & Son, Chichester, Sussex, December 2008, Lot 614
Auction 02: Rare 18th–19th Century Portrait Miniatures & Mourning Jewellery — Melis Antiques & Art