The Tansey Miniatures Foundation

The Tansey Miniatures Foundation

Gentleman in Green Coat

Jacques Thouron

The little portrait of the gentleman in a green coat ranks among Thouron’s masterpieces. On a minute surface and using extremely sophisticated colours he conceived the individual features and portrayed them unflatteringly. He depicted the asymmetrical lower lip and also the little flabby spots under the sitter’s cheeks. In addition to an external similarity, the artist also captured the model’s characteristic traits: his eyes, for example, radiate self-confidence and obstinacy. It would appear as if the sitter had been interrupted in a task and is turning towards the observer somewhat indignantly.
Thouron perfected his enamel painting during his several years of study with Marcinhès in Geneva.1 Only a sound technical capacity enabled him to apply the colour liberally and spontaneously. Pioneers of this manner of expression were Peter Adolf Hall and later, emulating him, Jean-Baptiste Weyler, who were both masters in enamel painting as well as in watercolours. Like them, Thouron painted the colours broadly and smoothly. Additionally, he succeeded in the impasto techniques.This involved significant difficulties in enamel painting, as the colour could easily chip due to shrinkage during the firing process.
Thanks to a second enamel which is identical to the present miniature and which in addition to the signature also displays a dating, the date of origin can be established to the year 1781.2
B. P.

1 The works by this artist are scarce. A lady’s portrait signed and dated 1772 has recently been discovered in the collection of Castle Fasanerie, Eichenzell.

2 It was sold at Nagel, Stuttgart, in the auction of 6–7 October 2010, lot 103.