Gervase Spencer
Portrait miniature of the Rt Hon Lady Caroline Montague
Watercolour on ivory
Oval, 45mm (1 ¾ in) high
Signed with initials ‘GS’
Philip Mould & Co.
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com Caroline Montagu was born in 1745, the daughter of Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester (1710-1762) and Harriet Dunch. This portrait...
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com
Caroline Montagu was born in 1745, the daughter of Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester (1710-1762) and Harriet Dunch. This portrait miniature was probably commissioned to celebrate Caroline’s role supporting Queen Charlotte's train at her wedding, on the 8th September, 1761 . Her father was the MP for Huntingdonshire, Lord of the Bedchamber and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte until his death in 1762. In 1775 Caroline married Charles Herbert Dormer (1743-1816), brother of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon. The couple had no children.
Gervase Spencer remains an elusive character, whose date of birth is not known. He was a gentleman’s servant before discovering a talent for painting. His work caught the eye of George Vertue who described him in 1740 as ‘a young man who not or a few years ago was in the capacity of a footman to Dr. W…-and now professes liming with some success. which demonstrates a Genius pratizing by degrees of himself – and really is in a curious neat manner and masterly’. His work was commissioned by the royal family and nobility, as demonstrated by this portrait miniature of Caroline Montagu. A portrait miniature by Spencer of George III is in the Royal Collection at Windsor.
Caroline Montagu was born in 1745, the daughter of Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester (1710-1762) and Harriet Dunch. This portrait miniature was probably commissioned to celebrate Caroline’s role supporting Queen Charlotte's train at her wedding, on the 8th September, 1761 . Her father was the MP for Huntingdonshire, Lord of the Bedchamber and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte until his death in 1762. In 1775 Caroline married Charles Herbert Dormer (1743-1816), brother of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon. The couple had no children.
Gervase Spencer remains an elusive character, whose date of birth is not known. He was a gentleman’s servant before discovering a talent for painting. His work caught the eye of George Vertue who described him in 1740 as ‘a young man who not or a few years ago was in the capacity of a footman to Dr. W…-and now professes liming with some success. which demonstrates a Genius pratizing by degrees of himself – and really is in a curious neat manner and masterly’. His work was commissioned by the royal family and nobility, as demonstrated by this portrait miniature of Caroline Montagu. A portrait miniature by Spencer of George III is in the Royal Collection at Windsor.
Provenance
Private CollectionBe the first to hear about our available artworks
* denotes required fields
We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.