Lot 153: JOHN HOSKINS C.1595-1664

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEMAN

5.6 by 4.5 cm., 2 ¼ by 1 ¾ in.

with long brown hair, wearing full armour and a white collar, a blue background

signed l.r.: J H

gilt-metal frame

NOTE

One of the most important miniature painters of the 17th Century, Hoskins bridged the gap betweeen Isaac Oliver (d.1617) and his nephew and pupil Samual Cooper (c.1609-1672). Hoskins was later described by an 18th Century source as, 'a very eminent limner in the reign of King Charles I, whom he drew with his Queen, and most of his court. He was bred a face-painter in oil but afterwards taking to miniature he far exceeded what he did before,' (see D. Foskett, Miniatures, Dictionary and Guide, 1987, p. 570).