Lot 56: A young gentleman, said to be the artist John Smart, in moss-coloured coat, white waistcoat, frilled cravat, powdered hair; grey sky background

SAMUEL ANDREWS (IRISH, 1767-1807)
A young gentleman, said to be the artist John Smart, in moss-coloured coat, white waistcoat, frilled cravat, powdered hair; grey sky background
on ivory
oval, 2 3/8 in. (60 mm.) high, gilt-metal frame, the reverse set with blue glass panel decorated with diamond-set monogram 'ALC'

Samuel Andrews was a follower of John Smart and the latter's influence is apparent in the present work with the dark sky background. It has been suggested that the miniature is a copy of John Smart's celebrated self-portrait, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (see K. Coombs, The Portrait Miniature in England, London, 1998, illustrated in colour p. 93, pl. 62).