Portrait of James Turner, a Beggar

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Images(2)

Nathaniel Hone the Elder , Irish, 1718-1784

Title

Date1750

MediumEnamel on copper miniature

Dimensions

5.8 x 4.5 cm

Credit LinePurchased, 2004

Object numberNGI.19616

DescriptionThe centrepiece of this unusual grouping of portraits is a delicately painted miniature by Nathaniel Hone. The sitter is James Turner, a well known London character, who charged artists a shilling per hour for posing. A specially made gilded frame contains two further frames which slide out to reveal miniature portrait prints. The engraving on the left was made by Captain William Baillie in 1774. Hone, an avid collector of drawings and prints, produced a number of accomplished mezzotint prints. However, he seems to have been rather less skilled in the etching technique as demonstrated by the rough print on the right.
InscriptionOn verso: James Turner/a beggar aged 93/valued his time at/a shilling an hour/1750
ProvenanceRt. Hon L.A. Waldron, Marino, Ballybrack, County Dublin, by 1913; purchased James Adams & Sons Ltd., Dublin, 8 December 2004, Important Irish Sale, lot 5