λ John Smart (1741-1811) Portrait miniature of James Whatman

λ John Smart (1741-1811)

Portrait miniature of James Whatman, head and shoulders, wearing a sky blue coat

Signed with initials and dated 1777

Oval, in a converted bracelet frame

32 x 21mm

James Whatman (1741-1798) was one of the foremost paper makers in Europe and was instrumental in the development of fine quality wove paper in Turkey Mill in Kent. Whatman was the son of James Whatman senior and Ann Harris, who between them turned Turkey Mill into the largest paper mill in the country. Whatman senior pioneered a method of producing fine quality wove paper on a mesh base which resulted in a much smoother paper, ideal for fine art and high quality printing. War in Europe between 1739 and 1748 cut off the supply of fine paper from the continent and so the English paper makers were able to regain the market and Turkey Mill became the largest paper mill in the country. James Whatman Junior took over in 1762, the firm having been run by his mother Ann since James senior's death in 1759.  James Junior continued to innovate in paper making and introduced many new techniques including the use of blue smalts which enhanced the whiteness of paper. He was also well known for creating the largest sheets of paper ever made at 53 x 51 inches for the Society of Antiquaries. Thomas Gainsborough is well documented in the 1760s trying to obtain Whatman paper saying 'There is so little impression of the wires, and those so very fine, that the surface is like vellum.' It was used by many of the most famous painters of the late 18th and early 19th century, including Turner, John Robert Cozens and William Blake for some of his illuminated books. James Whatman (1741-1798) married twice, his first wife dying in 1755.

This miniature was painted just after his second marriage to Susannah Bosanquet in 1776. In Whatman's account book there are three entries concerning Smart: 1776, Oct 5, Smart the Miniature Painter on Acct £18.18.0; 1778 May, Smart the Miniature Painter in full £21.0.0; 1779, May Mr Smart for a Miniature Picture and glass £13.2.6