Major exhibition features Windsor Castle artist

The centrepiece of the exhibition of paintings by the 18th century artist Paul Sandby, dubbed the father of English watercolour, will be a rare portrait of him.

The miniature portrait of Sandby is one of only a few known images of the artist and has been acquired by the Royal Collection Trust for the Royal Collection.

Despite his successful career as one of the founding members of the Royal Academy, the artist was rarely painted himself.

A half-length portrait, the miniature shows him aged 56 against a landscape with Windsor Castle in the background. He wears a blue coat, white waistcoat and cravat, and holds a porte-crayon, used for drawing with pieces of chalk, and an open sketchbook.

The miniature was painted in 1787 by the Jersey-born artist Philip Jean, who also produced portraits of the British royal family, including George III and his consort Queen Charlotte.The exhibition includes 20 works produced from the 1760s to the 1790s by the artist and his older brother Thomas.

Exhibition curator Rosie Razzall of the Royal Collection Trust said: “Windsor Castle is where Paul Sandby made his name as one of the greatest artists of the 18th century, so it is fitting that this rare and beautiful portrait miniature will go on display there.”

Capturing the Castle: Watercolours of Windsor by Paul and Thomas Sandby is at Windsor Castle, starting Friday, until May 5.