Lot 126: Attributed to Anne Chéron (French, circa 1663-1718), after Alexis-Simon Belle (1674-1734) James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766), "The Old Pretender", wearing suit of armour, blue sash of the Order of the Garter over his left shoulder, white lace

James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766), "The Old Pretender", wearing suit of armour, blue sash of the Order of the Garter over his left shoulder, white lace stock and cravat, red mantle, long powdered wig.
Oil on copper, set in the base of a painted leather case.
Oval, 75mm (2 15/16in) high

Miniatures were much in demand by the exiled Stuarts due to their suitability as gifts for visiting supporters of their cause. From 1702 onwards, it is known that three miniaturists were employed by the court; Jacques-Antoine Arlaud; Jacqueline de La Boissière; and Anne Chéron (wife of Alexis-Simon Belle). The former two produced original portraits from life, while the latter copied the large scale portraits painted by her husband. The present lot is derived from Belle's portrait of 1702, showing James in full armour after the declaration of war by Great Britain and France. This portrait is now in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilij, Rome. See E. Corp, The King over the Water, Exhibition Catalogue, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 2001, p.45, fig.21.

James Francis Edward Stuart was the son and heir of the Catholic James II and his Italian queen, Mary of Modena. The crisis prompted by his birth in 1688 inspired the so-called 'Glorious Revolution', which saw his parents flee to the Continent and his half-sister, Mary II, take the throne with her Dutch husband, William of Orange (see lot 111).