A Supercilious Look

Andrew Plimer was just twenty-six years of age when he painted this well-observed portrait in 1789. He had not long established himself in his own studio at Golden Square but was already attracting a distinguished clientele. Although he had first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1786, he did not exhibit in 1789.

The portrait shows a distinguished gentleman in a powdered wig with buckles wearing a brown frock coat with a deep collar and large buttons over a white waistcoat and neatly tied stock. He is set against an atmospheric sky background.

The portrait is in good condition and is presented in a striking gilt metal and ebonised frame of unusual construction. The portrait has not been removed from the frame but is assumed to be also dated inside.

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