| George IV as Prince
Regent (1762-1830)
This enamel miniature of George IV as
Prince Regent is styled after the portrait painted by Sir Thomas
Lawrence (1769-1830). George is shown with dark curling hair, in
red field marshal's uniform with gold braid epaulettes and shoulder
knots, wearing the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece pendant
from his high black cravat and the star of the Order of the Garter,
and insignia of the Orders of the Holy Spirit, Black Eagle and St
Andrew.
Sir Thomas Lawrence's original portrait
was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1815, following which there
was a great demand for copies. A full-length pencil sketch by Bone
after Lawrence's original was dated 1816 and is now in the National
Portrait Gallery. No fewer than ten enamels by Bone of George IV
when Prince Regent after Lawrence are in the Royal Collection.
The Prince Regent was a great patron of
Henry Bone until the second decade, when he planned to rearrange
the Painting at Carlton House with Lawrence's help, including removing
the Bones. Lawrence, who earlier had not been favourably disposed
towards Bone's work, played a major role in convincing the Prince
to keep them in a position of prime importance.
The enamel, painted in 1819, is signed
and inscribed on the reverse,
May 1819 by Henry Bone R.A. Enamel Painter in Ordinary to His Majesty
& Enamel Painter to H.R.H. The Prince Regent after the Original
by Sir Thomas Lawrence R.A.
Henry Bone (1755-1834)
Henry Bone, the best-known English enameller, was born in Truro.
Son of a woodcarver and cabinetmaker, he produced a dynasty of enamellers
which included Henry Pierce Bone and William Bone. As a child he
was taught art and at sixteen had been apprenticed to a porcelain
manufacturer in Plymouth, painting landscapes and floral scenes.
By 1779, he had settled in London apparently
working in an enamel workshop, painting decoration for watches and
jewellery. In 1781 he exhibited his first enamel portrait miniature
at the Royal Academy, where he continued to show regularly until
1831. Most of his works were on enamel, but he did make a few miniatures
on ivory early in his career. His enamels were usually copies after
full-scale paintings, although a few were from life. He made some
series, including an important group of figures from the Elizabethan
era.
Bone experimented with enamelling techniques
and, with larger plaques, often inscribed on the reverse detailed
information about the original painting, as well as his signature
and the date. His are works are in major museums including the Metropolitan
and the National Portrait Gallery.
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Gilbert silver