Richard A. Cosway (1742-1821) - La lecture
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Selected by Giulia Santoro
Specialised in 17th century Old Master paintings and drawings with auction house experience.
Estimate € 200 - € 250
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La lecture is a 1788 mixed-media miniature by Richard A. Cosway, created in the United Kingdom in the eighteenth century, sold with frame.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Mixed techniques miniature representing a young woman with a book and signed
Richard A. Cosway (1742-1821)
Richard A. Cosway (1742-1821) is one of the brightest miniaturists of the late 18th century and the early 19th century.
Biography
Richard Cosway was born in November 1742 in Tiverton, (Devonshire), where his father was a teacher. He showed his talents for painting very early. On his uncle's advice, he went to London. He was twelve years old.
He studied drawing and won the first prize of the Society of Arts in this discipline. He completed his training by working in oil painting under the guidance of Thomas Hudson and then William Shipley.
He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1770, became an associate member the same year and finally full member in 1771[1]. He resided in London where he had a workshop from 1770 and became the most fashionable miniaturist by painting the portrait of Madame Fitzherbert for the Prince of Wales. He is sometimes credited with the paternity of the eye miniature fashion with his close-up of the eye of the Prince of Wales for Madame Fitzherbert in 1785.
At that time, he lived at Schomberg House in Pall Mall. He married Maria Hadfield in 1781. They had a daughter[2] who died in infancy.
In comfort, the couple moved to Stratford Place in 1791 and stayed there until 1821.
Cosway recruited his clientele among members of the royal family, members of the English court, and the aristocracy[3].
He died at the age of 73 on 4 July 1821 in Edgware, Middlesex, by drowning with his carriage. He is buried at Marylebone New Church.
Many of his miniatures are in private hands or in the English royal collections.
The work is dated 1788 and signed at the bottom right
Dimensions: without frame 7 cm x 5.5 cm
: with frame 16 cm x 16 cm
The work is presented under glass
The painting is in perfect condition but the frame is damaged, see photos.
Auction results of Richard COSWAY in Miniature:
King George IV when Prince of Wales (1762-1830)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
Estimate: €91,176 - €136,764
Hammer price: €319,116
06/07/2017
Christie’s
Georges IV (1762-1830) as Prince of Wales (1795)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
7.5 cm
Estimate: €14,995 - €22,493
Hammer price: €41,986
22/04/2004
Bonhams
Self-Portrait of the Artist in black Jacket with high Collar (1804)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
6.8 cm
Estimate: €11,810 - €17,715
Hammer price: €41,334
28/11/2006
Christie’s
Portrait of Miss Boswell Preston (c.1790)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
6.7 x 5.4 cm
Estimate: €7,471 - €11,206
Hammer price: €39,843
16/04/2008
Sotheby’s
Mixed techniques miniature representing a young woman with a book and signed
Richard A. Cosway (1742-1821)
Richard A. Cosway (1742-1821) is one of the brightest miniaturists of the late 18th century and the early 19th century.
Biography
Richard Cosway was born in November 1742 in Tiverton, (Devonshire), where his father was a teacher. He showed his talents for painting very early. On his uncle's advice, he went to London. He was twelve years old.
He studied drawing and won the first prize of the Society of Arts in this discipline. He completed his training by working in oil painting under the guidance of Thomas Hudson and then William Shipley.
He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1770, became an associate member the same year and finally full member in 1771[1]. He resided in London where he had a workshop from 1770 and became the most fashionable miniaturist by painting the portrait of Madame Fitzherbert for the Prince of Wales. He is sometimes credited with the paternity of the eye miniature fashion with his close-up of the eye of the Prince of Wales for Madame Fitzherbert in 1785.
At that time, he lived at Schomberg House in Pall Mall. He married Maria Hadfield in 1781. They had a daughter[2] who died in infancy.
In comfort, the couple moved to Stratford Place in 1791 and stayed there until 1821.
Cosway recruited his clientele among members of the royal family, members of the English court, and the aristocracy[3].
He died at the age of 73 on 4 July 1821 in Edgware, Middlesex, by drowning with his carriage. He is buried at Marylebone New Church.
Many of his miniatures are in private hands or in the English royal collections.
The work is dated 1788 and signed at the bottom right
Dimensions: without frame 7 cm x 5.5 cm
: with frame 16 cm x 16 cm
The work is presented under glass
The painting is in perfect condition but the frame is damaged, see photos.
Auction results of Richard COSWAY in Miniature:
King George IV when Prince of Wales (1762-1830)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
Estimate: €91,176 - €136,764
Hammer price: €319,116
06/07/2017
Christie’s
Georges IV (1762-1830) as Prince of Wales (1795)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
7.5 cm
Estimate: €14,995 - €22,493
Hammer price: €41,986
22/04/2004
Bonhams
Self-Portrait of the Artist in black Jacket with high Collar (1804)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
6.8 cm
Estimate: €11,810 - €17,715
Hammer price: €41,334
28/11/2006
Christie’s
Portrait of Miss Boswell Preston (c.1790)
Richard COSWAY
Miniature
6.7 x 5.4 cm
Estimate: €7,471 - €11,206
Hammer price: €39,843
16/04/2008
Sotheby’s
Details
Artist
Richard A. Cosway (1742-1821)
Sold with frame
Yes
Title of artwork
La lecture
Technique
Mixed media
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Year
1788
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
16 cm
Width
16 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Classical
Period
18th century
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