GEORGE ENGLEHEART (ENGLISH 1750/3-1829) Portrait miniature of W.Williams, a button maker, circa 1781, wearing light brown coat, pale blue waistcoat and frilled chemise and white stock, his hair powdered and worn en queue Watercolour on on ivory Gilt-metal frame, the reverse with old label inscribed My dear wife's/ grandfather/ W.Williams. G.R Oval 39 mm (1 3/4 in) high Provenance: George Richmond, R.A, given to his son Thomas Knyvett Richmond, by descent to George Richmond's great-great granddaughter. Literature: Victoria & Albert Museum exhibition catalogue, Exhibition of Miniatures by George Engleheart etc., 1929, no. 7 Mr. Williams was clearly a wealthy individual having had his portrait taken by Engleheart five times, once in 1781, twice in 1782, 1793 and again in 1800. The Richmond and Engleheart families were closely connected. George instructed his younger cousin, miniaturist Thomas Richmond. Thomas's son George Richmond one of the most influential artists of his day, was a leader of the Ancients, a small group of artists who celebrated the visionary images of William Blake.