18th Century Silhouette Portrait Reverend Gervas Holmes John Miers C 1790s

This charming miniature portrait silhouette was produced in England during the late 18th century, circa 1794-96. The silhouette is expertly painted in plain black on plaster with trade label remains verso of the celebrated silhouette artist, John Miers (b 1756 – d 1821). Silhouettes by John Miers are highly collectible. The sitter is The Reverend Gervas Holmes, we also have a silhouette of Rev Holmes' wife Rebecca Holmes, sold individually.

The silhouette features Rev Homes in profile view. The detailing upon examination is quite exquisite. The smoky, textural effect to the gentleman's hair which is rendered with THE lightest touch of the paint brush. See also the gentleman's shirt frill with its characteristic hatching. This particular tell tale hatching technique of John Miers was only executed for a few year between 1794 to 1796. We adore the outline of his jacket button and the dip of his rear collar. The silhouette is housed behind convex glass in a papier mache frame with brass bezel and rose and thistle ormolu top hanger. We find the sitter named verso in an inscription reading ‘Gervas Holmes of Gawdy Hall in Holy Orders, baptised April 5th 1741, died Feb 17th 1796.’

THE ARTIST

John Miers (b 1756 – d 1821) was an English silhouette artist famed for the skill and contrast of his sharply defined profile paintings against the pure white plaster ground. John Miers is probably the most famous and important British silhouette artist.

THE SITTER

The Reverend Gervas Holmes of Gawdy Hall was born in 1741 in Fressingfield, Suffolk, England. The Rev Gervas Holmes was the son of Gervas Holmes (b 1696 – d 1776) and Sarah Wogan Holmes, née Wogan (b 1709 – d 1764). The Holmes and Wogan’s were both distinguished Suffolk families.

The Rev’d Gervas Holmes married Rebecca, née Grimwood (b 1743 – d 1817) in 1773 in Dedham, Essex and they had several children.
The Rev’d Gervas Holmes inherited Gawdy Hall in 1778 from his brother in law, John Wogan. The Hall was located in Redenhall, Norfolk. Gawdy Hall was built in the 1500s on the site of Edward Bacon's Holbrook Hall in Redenhall by the Gawdy family. The Gawdy's were a prominent family of lawyers who flourished in Norfolk and Suffolk in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The family was extremely influential rubbing shoulders with the highest dignitaries of the land . So much so that Queen Elizabeth 1 is said to have stayed at Gawdy Hall during the year 1578.

Gervas Holmes died in 1796 and is buried at St. Peter and St. Paul Churchyard, Fressingfield, Suffolk, England. The Gawdy Hall Estate passed down through to their children. The Homes family held the estate up until 1938 when it was sold at auction. By this time the Hall had fallen in to bad repair. Very high taxes were put on stately homes during this pre-war period, and the sad decision was taken to demolish the Hall in 1939. The larger remains of the Gawdy Estate are still active to this day

This is a fabulous silhouette with a fascinating history. The perfect silhouette for anyone who has a passion for 18th century art and antiques.

Measuring: Frame width 4 7/8 inch (12.5 cm) by height 5 3/8 inch (14 cm).

Condition: Light surface ageing to the plain black profile under the glass commensurate with age (please excuse any reflections on the convex glass). A small surface scratch to the convex glass. Two old surface chips to bottom edge of frame.

ITEM ID:14145