GEORGE FRANCIS JOSEPH ARA (BRITISH 1765-1846)
A clergyman, probably Rev. Dr Henry Whitfield FRS
signed with initials, GFJ and dated (17)96, on the obverse, lower rhs
watercolour on ivory
cast metal frame with decorative border of scallop shells, dragons and foliage
oval, 76mm (3ins) high


George Francis Joseph ARA (1764-1846) is, today, known as a portrait painter with famous works at the National Gallery such as that of the assissinated Prime Minister Spencer Percival (1812) and Sir Stamford Raffles (1819). He exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy regularly from 1788 until 1836. He was made an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1813, having previously won a number of awards including the Royal Academy gold medal in 1792.

The sitter is likely to be the Rev. Dr Henry Whitfield or Whitfield (c.1741 to 20th December 1813), rector of St Margaret, Lothbury, City of London and rector of St Mary's, Wexham, Bucks. This portrait being exhibited by G F Joseph at the Royal Academy in 1797 (No. 866), a year after Joseph painted the miniature. Rev. Dr Whitfield was made a Fellow of the Royal Society on the 9th March 1786.