Wonderful John Field Silhouette Painting, Signed & dated 1833 with a backing with a history of it's own

THE STORY - John Field (1772- 1848) is considered to have been one of the finest Silhouette Artist of the Age. He trained with the other significant Silhouette Artist of the Period John Miers in the 1790s until Miers death in 1821. This Silhouette painted with watercolour on card beautifully portrays a Rector with his fine sideburns and heavy gown, with Field's wonderful ability of detail with the hair and the tie around his neck. The silhouette sits in a embonised wooden frame with a Verre Eglomise surround. The Backing of the miniature has a Trade Label but it is not that of John Field, indeed it is that of Thomas Lovell (c1760-1806). Lovell was a Silhouette Artist who also trained with John Miers between 1799-1801, although he is not held in such high regard as both Miers and Field. And although the Trade Label advertises Lovell as a Profile Painter it is also advertises him as a Miniature Frame Maker. After Miers death, Field did continue in partnership with Miers son, but this ceased in 1829 after which he worked in his own name. The location of 2 The Strand as scribed with the signature and date, was apparently where Profiles are taken in a sitting of 5 minutes only, even to the minute size of a ring. As Mr Field preserves the original outline, he can furnish copies without a second sitting. And this I wonder is what this silhouette is a copy of the original sitting produced by Field himself whom was known to be methodical as far a signing of his work was concerned. Indeed it looks from the way the back of the frame has been taped up that a spare frame was used. But goodness me how I love the way the tape shows the signs of the many years that have passed, nearly two hundred. There is something so very beautiful about it, my only regret is that I cannot read the script identifying the sitter, only the old word 'Rector' and 'London'.

DATE - 1833

CONDITION - The Silhouette is in very good condition, the card I believe has yellowed with age and the most honest representation of it's colour in my opinion is in the second photo. The frame too is in good condition, there is either light wear or I think more likely dirt to the edge of the Verre Egolmise surround and there is light scuffing to the front of the frame. It still has it's original ring upon which to hang the silhouette which still remains firm. The backing of the frame has as I have already mentioned been taped up many years ago, I would imagine the same year as the Silhouette was painted and I don't know what they used but it is very secure, it just has it's beautiful signs of ageing.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Frame - Height 6&1/4" / 16cm, Width 5&1/4" / 13.5cm, Depth 1/4" / 0.75cm. Silhouette - Height 3&1/2" 9cm, Width 2&1/2" / 6.5cm

I love the fact that this one Silhouette has the been touched by three known Silhouette Artists of the age, John Field, The Artist; John Miers, the Teacher; Thomas Lovell the Frame Maker. The Silhouette so beautifully executed, with John Field's signature clearly written underneath with both the date and location, but on the reverse the Silhouette gives up a different beauty maybe not clear and precise, but one that portrays just how much this silhouette meant to it's owner and the ageing of the tape and the fading of the text helps so much with the appreciation that this object is nearing 200 years of age. This silhouette is highly collectable and would make a wonderful addition for any collector, or indeed for anyone who just loves beautiful objects.