Richard Gibson, English 1615-1690- A portrait miniature of a gentleman,...

Richard Gibson,
English 1615-1690-

A portrait miniature of a gentleman, wearing a gold edged ochre doublet slashed at the sleeve to reveal white chemise, white stock and lace jabot, and natural wig;

watercolour on vellum in a gilt-metal frame, oval, 4.5 cm. high.

Provenance:
Anon. sale, Sotheby's, London, 28 February 1991, lot 325.
Private Collection, UK.
Anon. sale, Bonhams Knightsbridge, 24 November 2010, lot 31 (£15,600).
with Philip Mould, London.

Note:
Richard Gibson (known as Dwarf Gibson in his circle), was born in Cumberland and worked as an apprentice in a tapestry works before entering the household of Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke. By 1639, he was employed in the court as a Page of the Back-Stairs, experiencing great popularity with King Charles I. Through the catalogue of Abraham van der Doort, keeper of the Royal Collection, we know that by this point Gibson was actively painting, for the former recounts the artist copying the Picture of 'Venus and Adonis, and Cupid with some dogs' by Peter Oliver after Titian. Following Pembroke's death, Gibson attached himself to Charles, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon, Pembroke's grandson, and throughout the Interregnum painted many people of that circle including Elizabeth Capell, Countess of Carnarvon [V&A no.P.15-1926]. By the Restoration, Gibson was tremendously successful and by the late 1660s he had changed his signature from 'DG', for 'Dwarf' or maybe 'Dick' to 'RG' for 'Richard', a pertinent display of his new status. After Cooper's death, Gibson was pronounced the King's Limner, however one year later was succeeded by Nicholas Dixon (1660-1708), and was appointed drawing-master to the Duke of York's daughters. Gibson had five surviving children by his wife Anne, including most notably Susannah-Penelope Rosse (1652-1700), a successful portrait miniaturist who, as well as painting copies of works by Samuel Cooper (1609-1672), had a prestigious clientele of her own.

The present work is a particularly fine work by Gibson and shows his ability to produce engaging and direct portraits, frequently, as seen here, through just a simple but assertive twist of the head. The gold detailing in his doublet is set off against the more unusual choice of a dark-green background, and the characteristic shimmering light on his locks emphasises their three-dimensional qualities.