Duggleby Stephenson of York
Lot 6043
Christian Richter (Swedish 1678-1732) Portrait miniature, watercolour on vellum Head and shoulder portrait of Carey (née Fraser) Countess of Peterborough (1655-1709) Within gilt frame with scrolled crest, bearing Burlington Fine Arts Club exhibition label verso Oval 8.5cm x 7cm Provenance Charles Lees Collection: the miniature is accompanied by the original receipt of purchase by Lees for the sum of £20, dated April 9th 1883, from Ernest Renton Jeweller Art Designer and Collector of Curios, 1B Pall Mall Place, London. Charles Edward Lees was a successful British industrialist who curated his collection of paintings and miniatures during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Lees acquired examples by many notable artists with the assistance of known art dealers William and George Agnew. One hundred portrait miniatures from his collection were sold at Bonhams forming The Charles E Lees collection sale in November 1997. Exhibited Burlington Fine Arts Club London, Exhibition Portrait Miniatures,1889, case 29, no.37 Cf. A comparable example sold at Bonhams London, The Albion Collection of Fine Portrait Miniatures, Apr 2004, Lot 11 Further miniatures of Carey: Charles Lees Collection, Bonhams, November 1997, Lot 20 - also by Richter Edward Grosvenor Paine Collection, Christie's, October 1980, Lot 40 - by Peter Cross. Portrait Miniatures The Property of a Lady, Bonhams, April 2005, Lot 9 - by Peter Cross Carey Countess of Peterborough was an English courtier, and maid of honour to Queen Catherine from 1674 to 1680. Carey was one of the 'Hampton Court Beauties' painted by leading portrait painter Sir Godfrey Kneller depicting eight of the most fashionable and glamourous ladies of the court of William III. During the early part of his career Christian Richter is believed to have studied under leading Swedish portrait miniaturist Elias Brenner, later working in Berlin and Dresden where he gained a strong following. Upon arrival in London in 1704 Richter began by copying full scale portraits of other popular artists including Michael Dahl and Godfrey Kneller. The antiquary and engraver George Vertue said of Richter's work: 'his Manner of Painting very tender and Curious, his tincts had a great variety his pencil regular and neat, his lines of drawing very just & toucht with freedom'.Condition Report:Good overall condition. Light signs of wear commensurate with age to frame.
