Old Master & British Works on Paper
Old Master & British Works on Paper
John Smart
Four studies of fish
Lot Closed
July 6, 04:20 PM GMT
Estimate
1,200 - 1,800 GBP
Lot Details
Description
John Smart
Norwich 1742 - 1811 London
Four studies of fish
including a Blue Shark, an Albacore, a Sucking Fish and another
Four, each watercolour over pencil on laid paper,
two inscribed with the identities of the fish
each 150 by 194 mm
(4)
her sale, London, Christie's, 26 November 1937, in lot 65, bt Ingram,
Sir Bruce Ingram (1877-1963), Chesham (L.1405a),
his executor's sale, London, Sotheby's, 9 December 1964, in lots 367 and 368,
by the descent to the present owner
These highly detailed watercolours come from a sketchbook used by Smart on his return from India in 1795. The book originally contained fifty-six pages of sketches and included studies of fish, dogs, bears and landscapes.1
Smart was one of the leading portrait miniature artists of his day. He had travelled to Madras in 1785, where he was busily employed by members of the East India Company and where he also held the position of 'Court Miniaturist' to the Nawab of Arcot.
1. D. Foskett, John Smart, The Man and his Miniatures, London 1964, p. 34