William Prewett
An enamel portrait of an unknown young Gentleman, wearing brown coat and blue waistcoat, his hair powdered, mid 18th century
Enamel on copper
Oval, 51mm (2in) high
Philip Mould & Co.
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com William Prewett (or Prewitt) was a Suffolk born artist who trained in the studio of C.F. Zincke. He became one of...
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com
William Prewett (or Prewitt) was a Suffolk born artist who trained in the studio of C.F. Zincke. He became one of the earliest English-born portrait enamellers. His work is rare but shows a wide group of patrons, including King George II and Frederick, Prince of Wales (Royal Collection, currently attributed to Prewett), and Horace Walpole as a young man (Collection of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry). The Victoria and Albert Museum houses an interesting family group by Prewett depicting Mr. and Mrs. Knight with her son, Mr. Newsham. This group further establishes Prewett’s connection to Zincke, who also worked for the family.
William Prewett (or Prewitt) was a Suffolk born artist who trained in the studio of C.F. Zincke. He became one of the earliest English-born portrait enamellers. His work is rare but shows a wide group of patrons, including King George II and Frederick, Prince of Wales (Royal Collection, currently attributed to Prewett), and Horace Walpole as a young man (Collection of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry). The Victoria and Albert Museum houses an interesting family group by Prewett depicting Mr. and Mrs. Knight with her son, Mr. Newsham. This group further establishes Prewett’s connection to Zincke, who also worked for the family.
Provenance
The collection of the late Daphne Foskett (acquired prior to 1965; collection no. 101);Thence by descent.
Exhibitions
British Portrait Miniatures, Scottish Arts Council Gallery, Edinburgh 1965, no. 393;Portrait Miniatures from the Daphne Foskett Collection, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, 2003, cat. 21.
Literature
British Portrait Miniatures, Scottish Arts Council Gallery (exhibition catalogue), Edinburgh 1965, no. 393;D. Foskett, Collecting Miniatures, London, 1979, p.173, pl.39H;
D. Foskett, Miniatures Dictionary and Guide, Woodbridge, 1987, p.173, pl.39H;
S. Lloyd, Portrait Miniatures from the Daphne Foskett Collection, Scottish National Portrait Gallery (exhibition catalogue), Edinburgh 2003, cat. 21, p. 74, illus. p.74.