Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Engleheart, George

1153601Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 17 — Engleheart, George1889Lionel Henry Cust

ENGLEHEART, GEORGE (1752–1839), miniature-painter, born in 1752, was one of the younger sons of Francis Engleheart, a member of a noble Silesian family, who came into England in the time of George II, and settled at Kew. Engleheart was a pupil of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and gained some repute as a miniature-painter, practising in Hertford Street, Mayfair. In 1790 he was appointed miniature-painter to the king. His miniatures were mostly executed on ivory, though occasionally on enamel, and were well drawn and coloured, showing great character and power. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1773 and 1812, mostly original portraits, or copies from Reynolds and others. Engleheart died at Blackheath on 21 March 1839.

His nephew, John Cox Dillman Engleheart (1783–1862), also practised as a miniature-painter. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1801, and continued to do so up to 1828, when, owing to failing health, he retired from his profession. He died in 1862. A collection of the works of both painters is in the possession of J. Gardner Engleheart, C.B., son of the last named; among the miniatures is a portrait of George Engleheart by himself.

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880; information from J. Gardner Engleheart, C.B.]

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