Henry Bone RA
Portrait enamel of a Young Man, probably the artist’s son Peter Joseph Bone (1785-1814), wearing brown coat with brass buttons, early 19th century
Enamel on copper
Oval, 72 mm. (2 7/8 in.) high
Philip Mould & Co.
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com The enamellist Henry Bone is best known for his impressively ambitious copies of oil paintings. Cornish-born, he was firstly apprenticed...
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com
The enamellist Henry Bone is best known for his impressively ambitious copies of oil paintings. Cornish-born, he was firstly apprenticed to the Cookworthy factory where he decorated china before completing his apprenticeship in Bristol under Richard Champion. When the factory went bankrupt in 1779, Bone moved to London. From 1781 he began exhibiting portrait miniatures at the Royal Academy, at first using watercolour on ivory and later moving towards the technique of enamelling.
This sensitive portrait is a rare example of Bone working from life in enamel, a technique largely reserved for his family and close acquaintances. The young man bears a close physical resemblance to his son, Peter Joseph, who he also portrayed in a rectangular enamel dated 1803. The present work, although undated, was probably also painted circa 1803-05.
Peter Joseph Bone (1785-1814) was the second son of Henry Bone. He showed early promise as an artist and was most likely an apprentice to his father, exhibiting an enamel portrait at the Royal Academy in 1801. His artistic skills are evident in an oil portrait of a child called ‘Master Saunders’, which now hangs at Montacute House (National Trust). However, by 1807 he had joined the army as Lt. in the 36th Regiment of Foot (the Hereford's). He survived his injuries in the battle of Timiera the following year.
In April 1814, Peter was again injured at Toulouse in one of the final battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Despite being offered treatment at Cassiobury House, Hertfordshire, by George Capel-Coningsby, 5th Earl of Essex (for whom his father had recently completed a commission) he died of his injuries shortly after his arrival back in England.
The enamellist Henry Bone is best known for his impressively ambitious copies of oil paintings. Cornish-born, he was firstly apprenticed to the Cookworthy factory where he decorated china before completing his apprenticeship in Bristol under Richard Champion. When the factory went bankrupt in 1779, Bone moved to London. From 1781 he began exhibiting portrait miniatures at the Royal Academy, at first using watercolour on ivory and later moving towards the technique of enamelling.
This sensitive portrait is a rare example of Bone working from life in enamel, a technique largely reserved for his family and close acquaintances. The young man bears a close physical resemblance to his son, Peter Joseph, who he also portrayed in a rectangular enamel dated 1803. The present work, although undated, was probably also painted circa 1803-05.
Peter Joseph Bone (1785-1814) was the second son of Henry Bone. He showed early promise as an artist and was most likely an apprentice to his father, exhibiting an enamel portrait at the Royal Academy in 1801. His artistic skills are evident in an oil portrait of a child called ‘Master Saunders’, which now hangs at Montacute House (National Trust). However, by 1807 he had joined the army as Lt. in the 36th Regiment of Foot (the Hereford's). He survived his injuries in the battle of Timiera the following year.
In April 1814, Peter was again injured at Toulouse in one of the final battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Despite being offered treatment at Cassiobury House, Hertfordshire, by George Capel-Coningsby, 5th Earl of Essex (for whom his father had recently completed a commission) he died of his injuries shortly after his arrival back in England.
Provenance
Private German Collection.