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Richard Cosway

Cosway's miniature portrays an officer from the First Royal Regiment of Foot, encased within a gold pendant with a lock of hair on the reverse.

Portrait miniatures emerged in sixteenth-century England, gaining popularity for their portability and detailed artistry. Often mounted in lockets for close keeping, they symbolized intimacy and affection. Before the advent of photography, miniatures served as the sole visual memory of individuals.

Soldiers, like the subject of Cosway's portrait, frequently gifted these miniatures to loved ones before deployment.

In the eighteenth century, miniaturists played a significant role in England's artistic landscape, contributing to the establishment of an 'English School' of art.

Cosway, a prominent figure, was among the earliest associate members of the Royal Academy of Arts, highlighting his importance in the artistic community of the time.