GEORGE HARGREAVES

Liverpool-based miniaturist George Hargreaves has a small oeuvre, however, it was one that, was impressive enough for him to have exhibited twice in the Royal Academy, in 1818 and 1820. This miniature is not one of those listed to have been exhibited by him on these dates and was instead painted a few years later, in 1824. By this year, Hargreaves had become a member of the Liverpool Academy, where he would remain a member until 1831.

The artist’s father, Thomas Hargreaves (1774-1846/7), had also been a successful miniaturist, and had remained in Liverpool throughout his life. It is noted by Foskett, in her Dictionary of British Miniature Painters (1972), that George would have gained inspiration and painted in the manner of his father. Thomas had also been involved in the Royal Academy, having entered the schools at the age of 16, and later becoming an assistant to Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830).

George signed his miniatures ‘Geo. Hargreaves’, followed by a date, just as in this example of a portrait of a young boy. Though the sitter is yet to be identified, his features- large brown eyes and round cheeks- make it clear that he was a child when this was painted. Apart from this, his pose and his outfit remain similar to those in which adults would have also been depicted in this period. The miniature also features some fabulous hairwork on the reverse, which could likely be made from the sitter’s own hair, given the similarity in colour.