Miniature Portrait Of A Gentleman In His Library, Late 18th Century

A fine quality and highly detailed late 18th century miniature portrait of a gentleman c. 1800 attributed to Charles Shirreff (1750 - 1829) The elegant model is shown seated in three quarters in an interior, and his eyes turned away from the viewer as if deep within, while he was caught in the act of reread. He wore a fashionable midnight blue velvet jacket, a white silk waistcoat, a buff-colored tie and breeches. Charles Shirreff (1750-1829) Shirreff was born into the family of a wealthy wine merchant in South Leith of Edinburgh. He lost his hearing at the age of four and later, as a child, his father enrolled him with Thomas Braidwood, the owner of a mathematics school in Edinburgh. Faced with the challenge of teaching Sherriff to write, Braidwood discovered that he enjoyed the challenge and devised hand gestures that are recognized today as sign language. Shortly afterwards, Braidwood founded Braidwood's Academy for the Deaf and Dumb, the first school of its kind in Britain. Through this tutoring, Charles managed to enter the extremely competitive art world of London. In 1769, aged 18, Charles left Braidwood's Academy to join the Royal Academy Schools in London. It was here that he received a silver medal upon completion of his studies in 1772. After this, he sought his fortune in India and joined other artists who painted portraits of members of the European community who were installed there. . His career spanned over a decade, after which Shirreff returned to London in 1808/09 and eventually retired to Bath where he spent the last years of his life. Higher resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available. Miniature: 8.5cm x7 cm Framed: 17cm x 19cm Provenance: Somerset private collection.