JOHN COMERFORD
“Gent in Blue Coat”
An antique watercolour miniature painting of a gentleman by John Comerford (1762-1832). He is wearing a blue coat, yellow waistcoat, white stock and frilled chemise.
Some other examples of works by this artist are included at the end of the photos.
Frame: The miniature is glazed and set within a gold frame, the reverse with blue glass border and glazed cartouche revealing a lock of hair styled into a wheatsheaf, embellished with pearls and filigree, with an outer band of plaited hair.
Provenance: The late Timothy Clowes Collection.
Condition: Good condition.
Measurements: Painting measures 7.4 x 6cm.
Biography: John Comerford was famous and renowned for his miniature portraits. He was born in Kilkenny and gained his knowledge of art from copying the pictures in the collection of the Marquis of Ormonde at Kilkenny Castle. He went early in life to Dublin, and entered as a student in the art schools of the Dublin Society.
He exhibited in London at the Royal Academy in 1804 and 1809. He was very successful and gained a high reputation as a miniature-painter in Dublin, and had a large and lucrative practice in his art. He particularly excelled in his male portraits, which were carefully finished, well expressed, and quiet in colour.
Some examples of his work were exhibited at the Special Exhibition of Portrait Miniatures in 1865, including portraits of Lady Sarah Lennox, Mr. Burgoyne, and Mr. William Fletcher, the latter in college dress. There is a miniature by him of an English military officer in the South Kensington Museum.
Comerford’s painting took him around the world, and face to face with many notable figures such as ‘The Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell.
He died in Dublin of apoplexy on the 25th of January 1832.
£1,200
In stock