Ozias Humphry R.A. 1742-1810. English School 18th.Century. Portrait study of a Lady traditionally held to be Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1744-1818, Consort of King George III of Great Britain. Humphry is known to have exhibited a miniature of the Queen "painted from life" at the Society of Arts in 1767, which may be related to this full-length study. Pencil and chalk on pale buff paper inscribed lower right "Drawing by Ozias Humphreys" sitters details to reverse. Some surface grubbiness and general soft creasing to no real detriment. 34.5 by 52 cms.
Born at Honiton, Devon, Humphry worked for a time as a miniaturist in Bath. He settled in London in 1764 on the encouragement of Sir Joshua Reynolds. In 1772 a riding accident that affected his eyes made him abandon miniatures and after a visit to Italy to between 1773–7 with George Romney he practised in oils. From 1785 to 1788 he was in India, where he resumed miniature painting, but again he found the work too great a strain for his eyes. He then took up pastel and in this medium was highly successful (being given the title of ‘Portrait Painter in Crayons to His Majesty’ in 1792). He went blind in 1797.