George Engleheart

seated beside a window, holding a kitten, wearing a white and blue dress with a matching large hat tied with ribbon, gilt-metal mount, rectangular lacquer frame   

John Cox Dillman Engleheart, the sitter's brother;
Melicent Engleheart, his daughter, to whom dedicated by the above: 'For my beloved Melicent August 6 1856';
thence by family descent to
Mr and Mrs W. A. Twiston Davies, their sale in these Rooms, 20 July 1981, lot 56

 

London, Victoria and Albert Museum, Exhibition of Miniatures by George Engleheart J.C.D. Engleheart and Thomas Richmond, May-June 1929, cat. no. 141 (inventory no. 284)

Williamson/Engleheart 1902, before p. 5 (illustrated in reverse);
Williamson 1904, pl. LX, fig. 5

Ivory ground. This miniature is in excellent surface and colour condition. Underneath the mount at the top there is very minor paint loss. The lacquered wood frame is lightly crazed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Melicent Dillman Engleheart was the daughter of George Engleheart's elder brother John and sister of the miniaturist John Cox Dillman Engleheart.

Another version of this composition (illustrated Edinburgh 1965, no. 254, fig. 63, lent by Mrs F.H.A. Engleheart) has an inscription indicating that it was painted in 1788, when the sitter was aged thirteen. The artist's sitters book, however, does not record him having executed a portrait of Melicent Engleheart that year. In 1795 there is an unequivocal entry for 'Engleheart, Mill D'; for the years 1787, 1790 and 1800 there are listed portraits of 'Engleheart, M.D., which could refer either to Melicent, or her sister Mary.