Henry Bone

Henry Bone painted in enamel, fusing colour onto metal in a kiln so that the finished picture shines like glass. His miniatures are extraordinarily detailed versions of famous portraits and old master paintings, done at small scale with brilliant, jewel-like colour.

Born in Truro, Cornwall, in 1755, he was apprenticed to the porcelain maker Richard Champion in Bristol before moving to London. He became enamel painter to the Prince of Wales in 1800 and to George III in 1801, and kept royal favour under three kings. He is the only enamel painter ever made a full member of the Royal Academy. His large enamel copy of Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne sold for 2,200 guineas, more than the original was then insured for, and over 4,000 people came to see it at his house. Much of his work is in the Royal Collection. He died in 1834.

Lady Hamilton as a Bacchante (1803) shows the rich colour he could fire into enamel.