An Unknown Gentleman
Christian Friedrich Zincke (Dresden 1685 - Lambeth 1767)
Category
Art / Miniatures
Date
circa 1740 - 1749
Materials
Enamel
Measurements
4.7 x 3.9 cm
Order this imageCollection
Ickworth, Suffolk
NT 851898
Summary
Portrait miniature, enamel, An Unknown Gentleman, by Christian Friedrich Zincke (Dresden 1685 - Lambeth 1767). c.1740s. Oval. Half-length portrait of a man, turned to the right, head and gaze to the left, wearing a bright blue coat faced with gold oak-leaves. Hazel eyes, powdered wig in queue, purplish complexion. Plain grey background. Absence of Garter insignia removes possibility that this is of Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales. (1707-1751), eldest son of George II. Engraved on back of gold locket 'C.F. Zincke'. Identification of the sitter as the Prince of Wales is in doubt. The sitter appears to be a young man in the early 1740's. The blue (or red) coat embroidered with oak leaves, symbol of Hanoverian victory, became fashionable after the Battle of Dettingen, and was worn by George II, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, and others involved in the campaign. Although there is some facial likeness, the absence of the Garter insignia and the colour of the eyes suggest that the sitter is not the Prince of Wales. The sitter may be George Townshend or more likely George William Hervey, later 2nd Earl of Bristol.
Provenance
Part of the Bristol Collection. Acquired by the National Trust in 1956 under the auspices of the National Land Fund, later the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Possibly given by the sitter to Lord Hervey, during their brief period of friendship in 1729.
Makers and roles
Christian Friedrich Zincke (Dresden 1685 - Lambeth 1767), miniaturist