Eye miniature by the hand of the Queen’s miniaturist

What an exciting find this week. A brooding, atmospheric miniature of a male eye with blue iris, dated 1838. I asked my restorer to open the piece and clean it and inside he found this inscription to reverse : 1838 painted by H Collen, Miniature Painter to the Queen, 37 Somerset St., London. Henry Collen (9 October 1797 – 8 May 1879) was a leading English miniature artist. A pupil of painter Sir George Hayter at the Royal Academy, Collen trained as a miniaturist, winning a Royal Academy Silver Medal in 1821. He was appointed Miniature Painter to Her Majesty Queen Victoria following her accession in 1837 and quickly developed a distinguished clientele of royalty and aristocracy. There are examples of his work in the Royal Collection and the V and A Museum. This eye by Collen is skilfully executed, smouldering and atmospheric. The sitter addresses the viewer with a direct gaze. The identity of the sitter is unknown. The depiction of a single eye meant identity remained a mystery, a secret shared between donor and recipient.  Imagine, that inscription has been hiding inside the piece for nearly 200 years. The pendant is high carat gold and measures 1 and 1/8 inches by 3/4 of an inch excluding bale. It is extremely rare to find an eye miniature with such provenance, and this one is beautiful and immaculate.

sold
Item ref : SC4

Henry Collen self portrait