Lot 98: Mrs Anne Mee , c. 1770-1851 Portrait of Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Grosvenor (1764-1851)

wearing the uniform of the Grenadier Company of the 3 rd Foot Guards, gold frame set with half pearls, glazed reverse with hair locks circa 1795

7.1 by 5.8 cm.; 2 13/16 by 2 5/16 in.

Bourgoing 1928, pl. 29;
Foskett 1979/1989, p. 319, pl. 87E

Hans Freiherr von Reitzer, Vienna

This miniature is based on a portrait of Grosvenor by John Hoppner, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1795 (no. 167 as Portrait of an Officer).

The sitter was the second son of Thomas Grosvenor, of Swell Court, and grandson of Sir Robert Grosvenor, 6υth Bt. Ensign, 3υrd Foot Guards, 1779; Lieutenant and Captain, 1784, he retired as a General in 1819.

Although this miniature appears to be framed in its original setting, the glazed reverse incorporates a blue glass plaque applied with a later modified monogram, including the initial C. While it would be more normal to expect the initials to correspond with those of the sitter, in this instance it appears that the recipients initials were used instead. We would like to thank Andrew Cormack for his help with cataloguing this lot.