Lot 153: Michael Kean (Irish, born after 1761-died after 1823) John Hayes St. Leger (1756-1799), wearing scarlet coat, yellow striped waistcoat and white frilled shirt, his hair powdered

John Hayes St. Leger (1756-1799), wearing scarlet coat, yellow striped waistcoat and white frilled shirt, his hair powdered.
Inscribed on the reverse Colonel St.Leger, gold frame.
Oval, 40mm (1 9/16in) high
Provenance: The Collection of G.T. Manning
The Albion Collection of Fine Portrait Miniatures, Bonhams, 22 April 2004, lot 70
Exhibited: South Kensington Museum, London, 1865
Secret Passion to Noble Fashion, Holborne Museum of Art, Bath, 21 April-18 July 1999
Secret Passion to Noble Fashion, Phillips Auctioneers, Edinburgh 16 August-3 September 1999
The Albion Loan Collection, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, until December 2003
Literature: 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
A. Sumner and R. Walker, Exhibition Catalogue, 1999, no.61, p.152-3

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'.