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The present work is one of Roche’s most endearing portrait miniatures and its recent rediscovery is an exciting new addition to the artist’s known oeuvre.
Sampson Towgood Roch(e) was born in County Cork and, despite being deaf and self-taught, had by the late 1770s established himself as one of Dublin’s leading miniaturists. He later moved his professional practice to London and later to Bath, where his services were in constant high demand from the emerging middle-class citizens. Roche was also patronized by the Royal Family and painted Princess Amelia’s portrait, later being offered a knighthood although supposedly declining on account of his disability.
The present example shows Roche’s key characteristic of bestowing on his sitter’s a slight smile - not too extreme as to over-prettify, but just enough to heighten the level of engagement. The young boys are undoubtedly brothers, and possibly twins given their same height and apparent age.