Souvenir Saturday: Miniature of a Young Gentleman

Portrait of a young Gentleman, wearing a blue coat with black collar, white waistcoat and frilled cravat, his hair powdered and worn en queue: by Charles Hayter (1761-1835). Watercolour on ivory within gold frame, oval 66 mm. 

Although the sitter is unknown, that he had maritime associations is shown by the fleet of ships seen in the background. As he is not wearing uniform it's unlikely that he was in the Royal Navy; he may have been a merchant.*

The artist, Hayter, exhibited 113 portrait miniatures at the Royal Academy between 1786 and 1832. His books, An Introduction to Perspective and A New Practical Treatise on Three Primary Colours, brought him publicity and some renown; he was appointed teacher of perspective to Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV) and Caroline of Brunswick.

*Philip Mould Gallery