Artwork
Portrait of Anna Walmesley
Portrait of Anna Walmesley is an unspecified portrait miniature by the British Romanticist artist Andrew Plimer. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
His brother, Nathaniel, also painted miniatures, and the two learned the craft in unusual ways, including living with Gypsies for a time.
A young woman in a white dress looks straight at you, her dark curls framing a pale face. Tiny pearls glint in her ears and at her throat. The background is a soft, warm blur.
Plimer painted miniatures—tiny portraits you could carry in a locket. This one is only about three inches tall. His brother, Nathaniel, also painted miniatures, and the two learned the craft in unusual ways, including living with Gypsies for a time.
To see more small, detailed portraits like this, look up england, 18th century.
Overview
This portrait miniature, titled Portrait of Anna Walmesley, is a small-scale work by Andrew Plimer, measuring approximately three inches in height. It depicts a young woman in a white dress with dark curls and pearl jewelry.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Anna Walmesley, is shown with a direct gaze, her pale face framed by dark hair. The portrait's intimate scale and personal nature suggest it was intended for private display, possibly in a locket.
Technique & Style
Andrew Plimer's work is characterized by airy execution and linear brushwork, with much of the ivory support left visible. The subject's large, expressive eyes contribute to the portrait's elegance. The soft, warm background blur is a hallmark of Plimer's style.
History & Provenance
Andrew Plimer trained under Richard Cosway, a prominent miniature painter, after initially working as Cosway's valet. Plimer established his own studio by 1786 and exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1786 to 1830.
Artist & collection
Artist
Andrew Plimer (baptized 29 December 1763 – 29 January 1837) was a British artist, whose brother was Nathaniel Plimer, also a painter of miniatures.
