Description
Henry Bone Enamel Miniaturist Master Artist
(6 February 1755 – 17 December 1834)
“Painted by Henry Bone, R.A. Enamel Painter to His Majesty
and Enamel Painter to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent
after the original by Correggio in the possession of
Sir Mark Masterman-Sykes Bart”
Few Royal Court artists could say they were employed by three successive monarchs. Amazingly, Henry Bone, R.A. enjoyed this exclusive patronage to George III, George IV, and William IV. They all employed Henry Bone as Royal Enamel painter to his Majesty.
Furthermore, Henry Bone’s enamel miniature paintings are extraordinary because of their size and outstanding quality. Consequently, the production of large miniature enamel paintings is slow, fraught with complications. Each individual colour is applied and kiln fired at specific temperatures.
Many museums including The National Portrait Gallery, London, The National Gallery of Australia, the Metropolitan Museum, New York and the Cleveland Museum of Art all have Henry Bone enamel miniature paintings in their collections.
Perhaps his most famous enamel miniature painting in the public realm sold at Christie’s (‘The Exceptional Sale’ London, 4 July 2013, Lot 2) for £313,875. Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne now in the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Henry Bone’s Pencil drawing in the NPG, London dated 1813
Other known Enamels
A miniature depiction of Jupiter and Io by Henry Bone dated 1801 in the Royal Collection (RCIN 404269).
Another of the same size but poor condition sold Sotheby’s lot 113, 24.11.05, London.
