Gervasespencer1763

Self Portrait of the Miniature Painter Gervase Spencer 1715-1764 Artist and miniature portrait painter who was based in London. 1753

Gervase Spencer
1715?-1763
Artist and Painter of Miniature Portraits
Lived in London

Gervase Spencer Self Portrait 1715-1763 Artist and miniature portrait painter who was based in London. Click for larger image. 1749

Gervase Spencer was a prolific painter of portrait miniatures in the mid 1700s. Little is known about his origin or how he became an artist. His miniatures are generally well accomplished but what probably makes him better known than many of his contemporary's is that he signed a large number of his productions, usually with his initials GS on the front (the obverse) where they can be seen with easy visibility. He also dated most of his miniatures and as a result they present a fairly accurate record of the fashions of clothes that many of the sitters were wearing at the time. There are some exceptions of course in that, while we can assume that most of his portrait miniatures are painted from life, some were no doubt painted as copies of earlier portraits and so the style of the clothes will in some cases be from a slightly earlier time.

The book 'Collecting Miniatures' by Daphane Foskett, 1979, gives what little is known of his life and there are a few references to him on the internet including the website for the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (www.vam.ac.uk). For images many of the auction houses provide via their websites a good selection of miniatures auctioned over the last decade.

Spencer's date of birth is not know but it is assumed to have been around 1715. According to Vertue, a contemporary commentator, Spencer was a 'footman' to a 'Dr W'. Spencer had apparently enjoyed drawing and had asked to be allowed to copy a miniature belonging to his master's family. He was then encouraged by the family and was eventually able to set up as a fashionable miniature painter. His earliest signed miniatures date from about 1740. During the first half of the eighteenth century it was the norm for miniaturists in Britain to be self-taught rather than undergoing a formal apprenticeship with an established artist. Spencer established his practice in London and his self portrait painted in 1749 notes his address as Marlbro Street / London. Later on he is known to have exhibited at the Society of Artists 1761-1762 and his address was then noted as 28 Suffolk Street. His name also appears in 'Mortimer's Universal Director' (1763), an early trade directory advertising the services of artists and other trades. In addition to watercolour on ivory, he also worked as an enamel painter, a very difficult technique to learn involving unpredictable procedures and requiring a significant outlay in terms of equipment for firing. It is likely that Spencer received some formal training in the production of enamels although one of his contemporaries claimed that 'the knowledge he had gained in that Art was almost purely his own'. Spencer also produced some etchings, as well as a self-portrait in Indian ink.

Gervase Spencer drawing at his easel

Mrs Spencer

Spencer became one of the leading miniature painters of his day. A young competitor starting up in 1748 in London noted only 'two Miniature Painters of Eminence in London'; Spencer, who he admired, and someone he would not name since he despised him. Once established Spencer would have had a number of pupils working with him and this would have helped him to produce the large number of miniatures attributed to him. Henry Spicer (1743-1804) is known to have been a pupil of Spencer but presumably there were also others.

It is not known when or whom Gervase Spencer married but a small portrait of Mrs Spencer exists in the collection of the British Museum. Gervase Spencer died in Great Marlborough Street, London, on 30th October, 1763. He was survived by a daughter who married a Mr Lloyd.

Below are a set of images of portraits known to have been painted by Gervase Spencer. Most of these examples have been signed on the front with his initials GS and the year.

If you have any more images or information to add to what is listed, please contact me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Unknown Lady Facing right, in décolleté blue dress with white underslip, a pink cloak draped around shoulders (cracked) dated 1740, gold-cased frame oval 45mm. Christies 15 Dec 1992, Lot 76.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1744 Bonhams 2 Sept 2008, Lot 23. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1744
Lady Gower, nee Elizabeth Fazakerley Signed and dated on the front GS 1745 (Lady Gower: Larger Image)	1745
Lady Caroline Fox Signed and dated on the back 1747. Enamel, the sitter wearing a tight-fitting bodice decorated with a rose at the bosom, a cloak over one arm and a shawl tied over her head. 'Collecting Miniatures' by Daphane Foskett, page 178.
Unknown Gentleman Believed to date to 1747. Bonhams 23 May 2007, Lot 38. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1747
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1747. Bonhams 23 May 2007, Lot 38. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1747
Unknown Lady Gervase Spencer 1747 (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )	1747
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1745 Cincinnati Art Museum www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )	1747
Unknown Gentleman Signed on obverse with initials and dated GS/ 1747 Bonhams 21 Feb 2006, Lot 116 (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1747
Unknown Gentleman Signed on front with initials and dated GS/ 1747 Damaged Woolley & Wallace 16 July 2008, Lot 193 (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1747
Unknown Gentleman Signed on the front GS 1747 Bonhams 18 November 2003, lot 57. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image )	1747
Lady Caroline Fox Enamel. 1 & 7/8inches. Signed and dated on the reverse 1747. Collecting Miniatures by Daphane Foskett.
Unknown Lady Signed on the back G Spencer fec AD 1747. Materials and Techniques:Enamel on copper, gold and pierced silver frame with diamonds. Victoria & Albert Museum, London
William Denbigh Facing right in aubergine-coloured coat, embroidered yellow waistcoat and white cravat, full bottomed powdered wig. Signed and dated, on the counter-enamel 'G. Spencer. Faciebat. 1747 Lond'. Enamel, oval 45mm high. Gold frame, the reverse engraved with foliate initials WD within rocaille border. Christies 17 Oct 1995, Lot 12.
Sir James MacDonald Signed and dated on the front GS 1747. Enamel. The sitter wearing a Van Dyck costume with his hair en queue, 1 1/4 inches. 'Collecting Miniatures' by Daphane Foskett, page 179.
Unknown Gentleman A young gentleman, half length facing right in blue coat with gold frogging, gold-embroidered white waistcoat, his powdered wig en queue. Signed with initials and dated 'G.S. 1747, SILVer frame, oval 44 mm high. Christies 14 Dec 1999, Lot 117.
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1748 Bonhams 23 May 2007, Lot 40. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1748
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1748 Cincinnati Art Museum www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image )	1748
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1748 Bonhams 4 March 2003, Lot 118. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )	1748
Unknown Lady Signed on the counter-enamel G.Spencer. pinx./ 1748 Bonhams 23 Nov 2005, Lot 32. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1748
Nathaniel Ryder, 1st Baron Harrowby (1735-1803) Signed on the front: 'GS 1748' Bonhams 23 Nov 2011, lot 34. (Nathaniel Ryder Ist Baron Harrowby: Larger Image)	1748
Unknown Gentleman A Gentleman, half length, facing left, in blue coat with gold frogging and ermine collar, yellow waistcoat and white cravat, hair en queue, enamel, signed on reverse and dated 1748, rectangular frame, oval 45mm high. Christies 16 February 1993, Lot 7.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1749 Bonhams 25 Nov 2009, Lot 138. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1749
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front G. Spencer f' 1749 Victoria & Albert Museum, London (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1749
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1749 Christies 9 December 2008, Lot 201. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1749
Martha North Signed and dated on the back 1749. Set in an attractive eighteenth century circular gold and tortoiseshell snuff box. 'Collecting Miniatures' by Daphane Foskett, page 38.
Mary Marsham Body and face turned towards the dexter, grey eyes full, brown hair in short curls at the back, flat on the top of the head. Blue dress trimmed with brown fur over the shoulders, open, showing white bodice. Aged 20. On the back 'Mary wife of Robert Marsham of Stratton Strawless Norfolk died 1752. Signed GS 1749. 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses' by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Vol II, page 100.
Unknown Lady Signed with initials and dated 1749. A lady wearing a blue dress, with a pink drape and a lace chemise, gold frame with later brooch attachment. Oval 4cm. Sothebys 16 Dec 1998, Lot 9.
Unknown Gentleman Facing right in bright blue coat, powdered hair. Signed with initials and dated 1749. Gold-cased bracelet clasp frame, oval 35mm high. Christies 13 December 1994, Lot 72.
Margaret Woffington (known as Peg) (circa 1714-1760) Signed and dated on the front GS 1750 www.ellisonfineart.com (Margaret Woffington: Larger Image )	1750
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1751 Sothebys 16 Apr 2008, Lot 8. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1751
Lady Louisa Augusta Greville (born 1743) Signed and dated on the front GS 1751 Bonhams 25 Nov 2009, Lot 13. (Lady Louisa Augusta Greville: Larger Image)	1751
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1751 Christies 5 September 2006, Lot 49. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1751
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1752 Bonhams 23 May 2007, Lot 41. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1752
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1752 Possibly a member of one of the following families; Long, Marsh, Cuthbert, Hopkins. Who is she? (Unknown Lady Larger Image)	1752
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the back J Spencer pinx 1752 Victoria & Albert Museum, London (Unknown Lady Larger Image)	1752
Unknown Lady A young lady, facing left in lace-bordered white dress, ermine-bordered bright-blue surcoat, a pearl pendant at corsage attached to a string of pearls, lace choker and drop-pearl earring, dressed brown hair. Signed with initials and dated 'GS. 1752' (lower right) oval 44 mm high, gilt-metal frame, the reverse with locks of hair. Christies 3 June 2003, Lot 71.
François Duquesnoy (1579-1643) The Sculptor Duquesnoy, facing left in black gown and large white ruffled collar, pointed beard and moustache. Signed with initials and dated 'G S 1752' (lower left), enamel on copper. Oval, 17/8 in. (46 mm.) high, gold brooch frame. François Duquesnoy (1579-1643), known as Il Fiammingo, was born in Brussels and worked in Rome. He was the most celebrated non-Italian sculptor of his day and was friendly with Poussin and Sandrart. Among his works, the Manneken Pis in Brussels is probably the most popular one. Christies 24 May 2000, Lot 105.
Unknown Child Signed and dated on the front GS 1753 Bonhams 8 April 2010, Lot 28. (Unknown Child: Larger Image)	1753
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1753 Bonhams 8 April 2010, Lot 26. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1753
Unknown Lady Signed on the obvers (the back) GS 1754 Bonhams 24 November 2010, Lot 68. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )	1754
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1754. A lady in white dress and blue surcoat, red rose at corsage, black choker, her fair hair falling in a ringlet. Gilt-metal frame with reeded border, oval, 48 mm high. Christies 29 November 2005, Lot 76.
George, 3rd Duke of St. Albans Facing left in gold-embroidered light blue jacket, the sleeves slashed to reveal white, Van Dyck collar and black ribbon tied at neck, powdered hair. Signed with initials and dated 'G.S 1753' (lower left) enamel on copper. Oval 44 mm high, gilt-metal mount within red leather case. Christies 12 April 1998, Lot 39.
Unknown Lady and Gentleman She in white dress, pearl choker and he in a mauve coat. Signed with initials and dated 1754, silver-gilt frames with split-pearl borders. Oval 48mm and 44mm high respectively. Provenance, Lady Mount Stephen, sold Sotheby's 24 July 1933. Sothebys 9 Nov 1994, Lot 85.
Unknown Gentleman Facing left, in mauve coat with red collar, mauve waistcoat and white shirt. Signed with initials and dated 1754, gilt wood frame, oval 45mm high. Sothebys 21 May 1991, Lot 186.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1755 Christies 15 June 2005, Lot 22. Bonhams 21 Nov 2007, Lot 149. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1755
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the back Ger . . . Spencer made this 1755. Victoria & Albert Museum, London (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1755
Susannah Beckford (nee Love) (died 1803) Signed on the counter-enamel and dated G. Spencer pinxit/ 1755. Bonhams 20 May 2009, Lot 21. (Susannah Beckford nee Love: Larger Image)	1755
Unknown Gentleman A young Gentleman, facing right in blue velvet coat, white waistcoat and frilled cravat, black ribbon around neck, powdered hair en queue. Signed with initials and dated 'G S 1755' (lower right) enamel on copper, oval 40 mm high, silver-gilt frame with reeded border. Provenance; Mrs Hilditch; Christie's, London, 23 April 1920, lot 106 (23gns. to Duits). Christies 15 April 1997, Lot 16.
Henry Wilmot Facing right in silver-embroidered grey jacket, gold-embroidered waistcoat and lace cravat, powdered wig en queue. Signed with initials and dated 'G S 1755' (lower right) enamel on copper. Oval 32 mm high, silver-gilt bracelet clasp frame with added surround of rose-cut diamonds, the reverse with lock of plaited hair and engraved with the sitter's name and date 1765. Christies 21 June 1999, Lot 302.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1744 Bonhams 4 March 2003, Lot 114. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )	1756
Unknown Gentleman A Gentleman, facing right in white coat with blue facings, white waistcoat and cravat, enamel, signed with initials and dated 1756, turned wood frame, oval 29mm high. Christies 9 May 1995, Lot 101.
Countess of Coventry Facing left dressed à la Turque, in white dress, purple-bordered sprigged white surcoat, embroidered belt with circular clasps, yellow scarf falling from her plaited hair, seated on a chair, her head resting on her right hand (minor damages). Enamel, signed with initials and dated 1757 on the obverse and in full on the reverse, gilt-metal reeded mount. Oval 54mm high. Christies 11 May 1994, Lot 35.
Unknown Gentleman Facing right in red-bordered blue coat, powdered hair en queue. Signed with intials and dated G S 1757, in silver frame with paste border, oval 42mm high. Sothebys 9 July 1996, Lot 34.
Unknown Gentleman A young Gentleman, facing right in blue velvet coat and frilled cravat, powdered wig en queue. Signed with initials and dated 'G S 1757' (lower right) enamel on copper, oval 32 mm high, silver-gilt filigree frame with plaited hair reverse. Provenance; de la Hey; Sotheby's, London, 27 May 1968, lot 73 (£320 to Rappolt). Sothebys 14 Oct 1998, Lot 27.
Unknown Gentleman A young gentleman in purple woven velvet coat, white lace cravat and black solitaire, powdered curly hair. Enamel miniature set into a gold snuff box. Signed with initials and dated 1757. Christies 6 Nov 2001, Lot 155.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1758 Bonhams 24 May 2006, Lot 67. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1758
Sir Harry Grey Bt Signed and dated on the front GS 1758 Bonhams 24 May 2006, Lot 56. (Sir Harry Grey: Larger Image)	1758
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1758 (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1758
Unknown Gentleman Signed on the front GS 1758 Bonhams 4 March 2003, Lot 91. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image )	1758
Unknown Lady Mentioned in 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses' by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Vol II, page 100, Newton Flotman Rectory. Brown eyes, brown hair, blue tulle and pearls in the hair, white flowered bodice, jewel rope across the body, pearl necklace with a blue bow behind. Miniature in an oval pendant, signed GS 1758.
Unknown Gentleman A gentleman, facing right in purple Van Dyke costume with white lace collar. Signed 'GS 1758', foliate ormolu frame with shell surmount, oval 28 mm high. Christies 4 July 2000, Lot 93.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1759 Bonhams 21 Nov 2007, Lot 118. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1759
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1759 Christies 22 March 2007, Lot 1112. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1759
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1759 Bonhams 11 Sept 2007, Lot 38. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1759
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1759 Bonhams 21 Nov 2007, Lot 123. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1759
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1759 Sothebys 24 July 2002, Lot 12. (Unknown Gentleman: Larger Image)	1759
Unknown Lady (x2) A young Lady, facing right in white dress with beaded border, blue shawl draped and fastened at her right shoulder, pearl necklace and drop pearl earrings, pearls in her upswept dark hair; and a young Lady, facing right in pink dress with square lace collar, pearl necklace and drop pearl earrings, gauze falling from her upswept dark hair. Signed with initials and dated 'GS 1759' and G.S 1759' (lower right), respectively. Ovals 36 mm high, gilt-metal mounts, set in an oval tortoiseshell panel with gilt-metal surround (2). Christies 12 April 1998, Lot 76.
Unknown Lady Portrait miniature of a young lady set into a Tortoiseshell snuff box. Signed G.S. and dated 1759. Christies 11 April 1995, Lot 10.
Unknown Lady H and S. Body and face turned towards the sinister, small grey eyes, flat brown hair taken back, wearing pearl ear-drops. Dress; Puce, bodice cut low and square, lace fichu, bow in front, jewel across front and a necklace with bow behind. Miniature in a snuff box. Age 30. Signed GS 1759. Norfolk Portraits, Vol 2. page 276.
Sir James MacDonald Enamel. 1 & 1/4 inches. Signed and dated on the front GS 1759. The sitter is wearing a Van Dyck costume with his hair en queue. Collecting Miniatures by Daphne Foskett.
Unknown Gentleman A Boy, facing left in gold-bordered blue velvet coat, gold bordered white waistcoat and frilled cravat, powdered wig en queue. Signed with initials and dated 'GS 1759' (lower right) enamel on copper. Oval 46 mm high, gilt-metal frame. Christies 14 Oct 1998, Lot 26.
Unknown Gentleman Facing right in lilac coat with silver fastenings, black stock, powdered hair en queue. Signed with initials and dated 'GS 1759' (lower right) oval 40 mm high, gilt-metal frame within silver-gilt bracelet clasp frame with blue enamel surround. Christies 21 April 1998, Lot 75.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1760 (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )	1760
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1760 Bonhams 24 June 2004, Lot 5. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1760
Unknown Gentleman Signed and dated on the front GS 1760 Bonhams 21 Nov 2007, Lot 162. (Unknown Genleman: Larger Image)	1760
Henry Vansittart (1756-1786) Signed and dated on the front GS 1760? (Henry Vansittart: Larger Image)	1760
William Durrant Mentioned in 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses' by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Vol II, page 271, Body and face turned towards the sinister, black eyes full, grey wig tied behind. Dress: Lavender coat, gold edged collar and lapel turned back, gold buttons, open, showing lavender waistcoat, white stock and lace ruffle. Age 35. Signed GS 1760.
Rev Nevill Walter Mentioned in 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses' by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Vol II, page 99, Newton Flotman Rectory. Body and face turned towards the sinister, grey eyes full, white Syntax wig. Grey coat turned down collar, two buttons, cross over cravat. Age 60. Date 1760. Signed GS.
Unknown Lady Young lady, in pink dress with lace and white lace collar, her dark hair upswept (Gervase Spencer). Signed 'GS 1760', gilt chased and engraved frame, oval 38 mm high. Christies 5 Dec 2000, Lot 83.
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1760. Portrait miniature of an unknown woman, enamel on metal, dated 1760. Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1761 Bonhams 22 Nov 2006, Lot 73. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1761
Unknown Lady Signed and dated on the front GS 1763 Bonhams 22 Feb 2005, Lot 92. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)	1763
Unknown Gentleman Signed on the front GS. Christies 4 Dec 2009, Lot 89. (Unknown Genleman: Larger Image)	1763


Drawing of an Unknown Lady Signed on the front GS. Probably dates to the 1740s. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image )
Unknown Lady Signed on the front GS. Probably dates to the 1740s. Bonhams 23 May 2007, Lot 40. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)
Unknown Lady Signed on the front GS. Probably dates to the 1740s. Bonhams 21 Nov 2007, Lot 161. (Unknown Lady: Larger Image)
Hester Countess of Denbigh (died 1725/6) Wife of Basil, 4th Earl of Denbigh. Vellum. 5 inches. This is possibly the largest work known by Gervase Spencer and is of exceptionally high quality. It was probably copied from an earlier portrait as the hair style and costume suggest a date of c1700. Signed GS. 'Collecting Miniatures' by Daphane Foskett, page 180.
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu Signed on the front GS
Unknown Lady Facing right in lace-bordered pink dress, drop pearl at corsage, pearl necklace and earrings, flowered aigrette in her dark upswept hair. Signed with initials'GS', in turned wood frame, oval, 30mm high. Christies 7 July 1998, Lot 91.
Unknown Lady Facing right in turquoise dress and choker, matching aigrette in her upswept hair. Signed with initials 'GS', mounted on a gold stick pin. Oval 15mm high. Christies 2 Sept 1997, Lot 45.
Unknown Lady A Lady, full face in black cloak, a black lace veil in her powdered hair, drop pearl earrings. Signed with initials. Oval 45mm high. Christies 13 Dec 1994, Lot 95.
Unknown Lady A Lady believed to be of the Foulks family, Norwich, facing left in lace day-gown with pink surcoat, pink ribbon in her white cap. Signed with initials 'G S [.]' (lower right) enamel, oval 33 mm high, silver-gilt bracelet clasp frame. Provenance; A. J. Deaton; Sotheby's, London, 22 April 1968, lot 152. Christies 14 Oct 1998, Lot 28.
Unknown Lady A young lady in white dress adorned with pearls and blue ribbon, wearing an ermine-bordered turquoise surcoat, pink choker, her hair upswept. Signed with initials 'GS', gilt-metal pendant frame with reeded border, oval 44 mm high. Christies 15 June 2005, Lot 24.
George Montgomerie (1712-1766) Facing right in gold-bordered brown coat, embroidered waistcoat and frilled cravat, powdered hair en queue. Signed with initial, enamel, gold frame, oval 31mm high. Christies 8 March 1995, Lot 34.
William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough (1704-1793) Signed with initials, after Jean Etienne Liotard, circa 1750. Sothebys 5 Oct 1999, Lot 461.
Sir Edward Astley 4th Bt Mentioned in 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses' by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Vol II, page 6, Melton Constable Park. Blue enamel amid a circlet of pearls.
Unknown Gentleman Facing left in brown velvet coat and lace cravat, powdered wig. Signed with initials 'G S' (lower left) enamel on gold, oval 31 mm high, gilt-metal mount. Christies 14 Oct 1998, Lot 128.

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