Gentleman in Blue Coat and Waistcoat with Flower Embroidery

Dubourg' s portrait shows a middle-aged gentleman who is wearing dark blue tails, a white collar and a fair cravat. The collar of the waistcoat, which is embroidered with flowers, is turned down and forms a vivid contrast to the dark coat. The portrait is painted with great meticulousness and gives an immediate and vivid impression. A similar representation of the sitter' s expressive eyes and arched eyebrows are found in many of Dubourg' s miniatures from the Tansey Collection. The assumption that this is a self-portrait ¹ is supported by the fact that the sitter seems very natural without assuming a specific posture. Moreover, it is striking that the painter has not shrinked from showing the sitter' s personal characteristics, for example the little wrinkles around his eyes. However, such an assumption cannot be proved due to a lack of portraits showing Dubourg.

J.S.O.

¹ On the market, the miniature was offered as an alleged self-portrait of the artist.