Dutch Courage

This gentleman is looking somewhat flushed as if he has taken an extra glass or two with his lunch before sitting for his portrait. Neatly dressed in a brown coat, his powdered curls are loosely tied with ribbon but still have a mind of their own giving him the air of an eccentric professor.

The portrait has been captured by the Jewish artist Abraham Daniel (c.1750-1806) son of Nochaniah Daniel of Bridgewater and brother of fellow artist Joseph and watchmaker Phineas. All three worked in the Bath / Bristol area benefitting from the steady influx of well-to-do visitors drawn by the area’s renowned health-sustaining waters.

The portrait is in fine condition and is set in the original gold frame, the reverse with a blue glass surround and a central panel showing the monogrammed initials RB laid on plaited brown hair.