A fine and exquisite English portrait miniature from the Georgian period, dating to the late 18th century, by the British miniature painter **Joseph Daniel (c. 1760–1803)**, who worked in the city of Bath and was among the miniature portrait painters of the period. The work depicts a young lady with delicate facial features, dark brown eyes, and a serene and restrained expression. Her face is turned slightly to one side, and her gaze is directed towards the viewer. Her light-coloured, greyish-blonde hair is arranged in a high hairstyle with abundant soft curls, characteristic of women's fashion in Britain during the late 18th century. The curls are arranged on both sides of the head, while long locks fall along the neck and shoulders. The lady is dressed in a light-coloured gown with a delicate neckline, partly covered by soft, semi-transparent white fabric. The delicate folds of the fabric and the restrained colouring complement the elegant character of the portrait. The light background, in shades of cream and pale grey, emphasises her face and the soft tones of her hair, giving the portrait a harmonious appearance. The work was executed in watercolours on a natural substrate and is characterised by soft colour transitions, meticulous treatment of the facial features, and the use of delicate shading in greyish-brown tones. The Frame The miniature is mounted in an oval pendant frame made of gold-plated metal and brass, with thin borders and a suspension ring at the top. According to the original description, the painting is protected by convex glass. The reverse of the frame consists of a solid metal plate, showing signs of natural use and ageing. About the Artist – Joseph Daniel (c. 1760–1803) Joseph Daniel was a British miniature painter active during the late 18th century, primarily in and around the city of Bath. Bath was an important social and cultural centre during this period, attracting members of the aristocracy, high society, and wealthy families, who constituted a significant clientele for portrait painters. Joseph Daniel worked contemporaneously with Abraham Daniel (died 1806), who was also engaged in miniature painting in the Bath area. Both artists apparently used the professional name Mr Daniel, a fact that over the years created difficulties in identifying and distinguishing between their works. In art historical research, their works are sometimes known under the designation **Daniel of Bath**. The Artistic Style of Joseph Daniel Works attributed to Joseph Daniel are characterised by meticulous treatment of facial features, clear depiction of the eyes and eyelids, and the use of delicate shading in greyish tones. Compared with works attributed to Abraham Daniel, there is a tendency in scholarly research to identify in Joseph's work greater attention to detail and a more pronounced use of grey tones to model the face. In the present miniature, several characteristics corresponding to this painting tradition can be observed: the large and clearly defined eyes, the soft treatment of the hair, the delicate shading around the nose and cheeks, and the mouth with clearly defined contours. These characteristics support the attribution of the work to Joseph Daniel. The Attribution and Art Historical Research According to the information provided with the work, the miniature was previously attributed to the painter John Barry. The attribution was subsequently re-examined by Claudia Hill of Ellison Fine Art, a specialist in British portrait miniatures. According to the original description, Hill confidently attributed the work to one of the two Daniel brothers, who were active in Bath during the late 18th century, namely Joseph Daniel. A further stylistic examination of the portrait indicates similarities to characteristics attributed to Joseph Daniel, particularly in the treatment of facial shading and the details of the eyes. Artistic Background – Portrait Miniatures in the City of Bath During the second half of the 18th century, Bath was one of the most important centres of British social life. The city was renowned for its baths, assembly rooms, and social life, attracting wealthy visitors from throughout Britain. Portrait miniatures were particularly sought after among the affluent classes and served as personal keepsakes, gifts between spouses, and objects intended to preserve the likenesses of family members and loved ones. Miniature painters working in the city developed a painting tradition characterised by sensitive treatment of facial features, soft colour transitions, and the ability to give the sitter a personal presence in an exceptionally small format. The present miniature belongs to this artistic tradition in terms of its dating and characteristics. Artistic and Collecting Significance The miniature combines several characteristics of artistic and collecting interest: a high-quality Georgian portrait of a lady, dating to the late 18th century, a gilt pendant frame, and an attribution to the miniature painter Joseph Daniel. The previous professional attribution to the Daniel family, together with the stylistic characteristics associated with Joseph Daniel, gives the work additional scholarly interest. **Artist:** Joseph Daniel (c. 1760–1803) **Date:** Late 18th century **Period:** Georgian **Country of Origin:** England **Genre:** Portrait Miniature of a Lady **Technique:** Watercolours on a natural substrate **Painting Dimensions:** Approximately 6.4 × 5.1 cm **Frame:** Oval pendant frame made of gold-plated metal and brass **Glass:** Convex **Reverse:** Solid metal plate **Previous Attribution:** John Barry **Previous Scholarly Attribution:** Daniel of Bath, according to an opinion attributed to Claudia Hill **Provenance:** Private Collection
Auction 02: Rare 18th–19th Century Portrait Miniatures & Mourning Jewellery — Melis Antiques & Art