A Disguished Gentleman

The character of this distinguished-looking gentleman with his steely grey eyes and greying hair has been expertly captured in this strongly painted portrait. Wearing a double-breasted coat with a black velvet collar over a white stock and frilled chemise, the sitter is set against a clouded sky backdrop.

The portrait is set in the original gold frame that is glazed on the reverse to reveal plaited locks of brown hair.

Andrew Plimer (1763-1837) was the son of a Shropshire clockmaker, a trade he and his older brother were expected to assume to. Instead the two boys ran away, eventually reaching London where Andrew had the good fortune to be taken on as a valet to the famed miniature painter Richard Cosway who, recognising the young man’s artistic talent, arranged painting lessons for him. Plimer set up his own studio in 1785 and exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1786 and 1830.