Van Dyck Self-Portrait

This is a well-painted portrait of the 17th century Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck as a young man based on his handsome self-portrait painted around 1620-21 whilst he was in England. He is classically depicted as a young aristocrat in a chestnut brown robe over a rich red velvet coat leaning in a relaxed pose with his elbow on a plinth and showing off his pinkie ring.

The original portrait by Van Dyck is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art though this has been copied from another version of the portrait as the colours of his attire differ significantly – he is wearing a black robe in the original.

This miniature version was painted during the early part of the nineteenth century by Emma Eleanora Kendrick from a version of the self-portrait owned by Major Lowell (the name is tricky to decipher) of the Coldstream Guards. It is in fine condition and is set in a gilt-metal frame. The portrait is inscribed on the reverse ‘No. 2 / Vandykes Portrait / copied from the original by Vandyke / in the possession of Major Lowell / Cdstream Guards by – / Emma Eleanora Kendrick / Duchess Street / Portland Place’. The inclusion of ‘No.2’ suggests this miniature was exhibited.

The daughter of a sculptor, Emma Eleonora Kendrick (c.1788-1871) was appointed miniature painter to Princess Elizabeth of Hesse-Homburg, and to William IV in 1831. She exhibited miniatures at the Royal Academy between 1810 and 1817.