Lot 38: Michael Kean (Dublin 1761 - London 1823)

John Hayes St. Leger (1756-1799), wearing scarlet coat, yellow striped waistcoat and white frilled shirt, his hair powdered
the reverse inscribed Colonel St.Leger, gold frame
Oval, 40mm. (1 1/2ins.) high

London, South Kensington Museum, 1865, no.2589 (lent by Manning)
H.M., 1999
P.A., 1999
S.N.P.G., 2000-2003

F. Barrett & A. Thorpe, Derby Porcelain, 1971, pp.61, 94-5
G. Pendred, Michael Kean and the Duesbury Miniatures, Derby Porcelain International Society Journal 3, 1996, p.13

The Collection of G.T. Manning

Michael Kean was a practising miniaturist who went into partnership with William Duesbury, of the Derby Porcelain factory, in 1795. Born in Dublin in 1761, he entered the Dublin Society school ten years later. His talent, clearly demonstrated by the present lot, was rewarded with a Dublin Society of Arts medal in 1779. He arrived in London in 1784, exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1786-1790. In 1798, Kean married Duesbury's widow, Elizabeth. He then remained in virtual possession of the porcelain factory until 1811.
The miniaturist Haslem complimented Kean's portrait miniatures, stating that 'some of his heads will bear comparison with the best works of Cosway'. His miniatures are, however, extremely rare.

John Hayes St. Leger, a fellow Irishman, was the son of John St. Leger of Grangemellan, Co. Kildare. His uncle, Anthony St. Leger, was the founder of the St. Leger stake. John was great friends with Prince of Wales, who in 1782 commissioned his portrait by Gainsborough. He was also painted by Reynolds (circa 1778) and Cosway. The Prince appointed him Groom of the Royal Chamber and described him as 'one of ye best fellows yt. ever lived'.