This is a copy by Henry Bone (1755-1834) of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ painting exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1785 as Venus. The press loved it – ‘a picture of temptation from her auburn lock to her painted toe’ (Public Advertiser, 5 April 1785) – and Reynolds repeated the composition several times. In 1787 a version was exported to France, which may have been for King Louis XVI. This miniature was painted for George IV when Prince of Wales, to hang in his bedroom at Carlton House.

Bone was born in Truro in Cornwall, the son of a woodcarver and cabinet maker, and began his artistic career painting on china for local manufacturers. In about 1779, he moved to London, where he became established as one of the most outstanding enamellists of his day. His children and grandchildren also became miniaturists. He painted designs for lockets, watches and jewellery. He was principally a copyist and his large-scale enamels were based on paintings by Old Masters and leading contemporary artists. He exhibited over 240 items at the Royal Academy between 1781 and 1832, when his eyesight began to fail. He was appointed enamel painter to the future George IV in 1801, before holding the same position to George III from 1809, and later George IV and William IV. Bone could obtain top prices for his work – in 1811 he received 2,200 guineas for his framed Bacchus and Ariadne. He was described by a contemporary as a ‘worthy, kind, liberal and affectionate man’.

The miniature is inscribed by the artist on the reverse in black paint: London / March 1807 / Painted by Henry Bone A.R.A. / Enamel painter to H.R.H. the / Prince of Wales after Sr Joshua Reynolds, the Original picture / in the possession of the Earl / of Ossory / bequeathed to his Lordship / by Sir Joshua.