ENGLISH SCHOOL, CIRCA 1796

Portrait miniature of William Augustus Minchin R.N., half-length in lieutenant's uniform, with powdered hair and white stock

Oil on ivory backed with laid paper inscribed in pencil William Augustus Minchin d.1841

2¾ x 2⅛in. (7 x 5.3cm.) in gold lunette glazed frame with suspension loop (disassembled)

William Augustus Minchin (1772-1845) born in Hampshire, he attained the rank of able seaman in 1790 and saw service in Home and Mediterranean waters. He made lieutenant on 27th December 1796 in the sloop Star and is likely to have had this portrait painted shortly thereafter, it shows him as something of a man-of-fashion with a handsomely tied stock, his own hair powdered and a bright, cheerful smile. He fought at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 aboard the Monarch (74) where he was wounded. This did not prevent him from serving and he was on various ships between the Home and Newfoundland stations between 1804-1807 and he commanded the brig Pelter between 1819-21 when he was made up to a commander and when he probably left the Royal Navy and retired on half-pay. He died in Cardiff in 1845 at the age of 73.

Condition Report

Fine overall condition, some minor frame rubbing along extreme lower right edge.

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