Portrait of Philip, Earl of Pembroke by Henry Pierce Bone

This exceptionally rare miniature portrait was meticulously hand-painted by the celebrated enamelist Henry Pierce Bone. The enamel on copper plaque depicts Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke and 1st Earl of Montgomery (1584-1650). An important figure in British history, Philip proved to be highly influential on the culture and politics of his age, befriending both King James I and King Charles I during his lifetime. He was also a significant patron of the arts and was particularly fond of the work of the Baroque master, Anthony van Dyck. In fact, this miniature is based on a large-scale portrait by van Dyck, which was specially commissioned by the Earl. Bone has intricately rendered van Dyck's masterpiece here in miniature, capturing the artistry of the original down to the smallest detail.

Henry Pierce Bone (1779-1855) was the son of the illustrious enamelist Henry Bone and and Elizabeth Van der Meulen, a descendant of the Flemish painter Adam Frans van der Meulen. Trained by his father, he began his career as a painter of classical scenes. However, after his father died in 1833, he took up the family business and devoted the remainder of his career to miniature enamel portraits. First appointed enamel painter to Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, he later earned the honor of being the exclusive enamel painter of Queen Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg. To this day, his remarkably detailed works remain highly collectible.

Inscribed "Philip Earl of Pembroke, London Jan 1842. Painted by Henry Pierce Bone Enamel painter to Her Majesty and Prince Albert the Queen Dowager, H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent. From the original by Van Dyke in the collection of the Earl of Clarendon, the grove Watford, Herts" (en verso)

14 1/8" high x 12 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" deep