Pair Of Portrait Miniatures By Frederick Buck

A finely presented pair of portrait miniatures painted on ivory by Frederick Buck (Cork 1771-1840). The young soldier is an officer of a foot regiment, perhaps the 31st, the reverse of his portrait painted with an idyllic rural scene of a young couple, perhaps the sitter and his wife before he enlisted into his regiment. The pendant portrait is of his wife, plainly dressed in the empire style fashionable at this time, circa 1805. The reverse of her portrait is painted with an allegorical female figure with attendant cherubs, one presenting flowers, the other a frond of palm. Within their original gilt metal frames, later cased as a pair in a velvet-lined tooled leather case.
Each miniature 2 ¾ inches x 2 ¼ inch (exc. their hanger).
Frederick Buck was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1771. He was the younger brother of the highly regarded artist, Adam Buck and probably learned his trade at the Dublin Society’s drawing school where a pupil of his name was entered in 1783. He practised as a miniature painter in his hometown for many years; firstly in Mardyke Street, and then Fen’s Quay before George’s Quay from where he worked for many years.
The Peninsular War was good for Buck, Cork being a busy port of embarkation of the troops. During these years Buck was asked to record the likeness of so many officers and others, and in such short time, that he kept partially prepared ivory panels to which he could simply add the appropriate head and regimental facings; the resulting immediacy of his portraits making them popular then as now. Frederick was successful in his profession and was able to retire some years before his death. His last address was in Buckingham Square.
The ivory registered with DEFRA.