Miniature Portrait of Charles Watson Wentworth

British Prime Minister Charles Watson Wentworth, Second Marquess of Rockingham is the subject of this exceptional portrait by the British-American miniaturist William Russell Birch. The highly detailed portrait was composed after a full-length work by the great Sir Joshua Reynolds, which was painted after Wentworth was appointed a Knight of the Garter in 1761. Birch perfectly captures the Marquess in his insignia of the Order of the Garter, including the ultramarine velvet mantle with the heraldic shield of St. George's Cross sewn on the left shoulder. It is one of just two known miniatures that Birch composed of Wentworth; the other is currently held in the Victoria & Albert Museum (London).

Signed "WB/ from Sir/ JR"

Circa 1786

3 1/8" high x 2" wide