Joseph Lee, British 1780-1859- Portrait of the... Lot 287

Joseph Lee, British 1780-1859- Portrait of the artist's cousin, half-length, wearing a black overcoat and waistcoat, seated before before a dark red curtain; enamel, extensively inscribed '[......] Yorkshire. / Painted immediately from Life, / as a Tribute to Friendship / by his Cousin Joseph Lee - / Enamel Painter to His R.H. / the Duke of Sussex.' verso, 13.1 x 10.6 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: Joseph Lee taught himself enamel painting later in life, and went on to have a successful career as an enamellist, exhibiting at the RA and the Society of British Artists between 1809 and 1853. He was styled as ‘enamel painter’ to Princess Charlotte of Wales, and went on to be ‘enamel painter to Augustus, Duke of Sussex'. Queen Victoria also employed Lee’s services, and he produced numerous enamel copies of master paintings for her between 1844 and 1850. This present work is an intimate example of Lee's work, showing the artist's cousin in distinguished formal attire, but with a soft and gentle expression.