A gentleman, by William M. S. Doyle,
signed, circa 1805.

Set in the original ‘rolled gold' locket frame with bright work around the glazed aperture on the reverse. The miniature retains the original red leather traveling case.

2 11/16 inches high.

William M. S. Doyle (1769-1828), the proprietor of the Columbian Museum in Boston was a miniaturist, profile cutter and portraitist in pastel and oils. In addition to his partnership with wax modeler Daniel Bowen in the museum, he worked with Henry Williams painting miniatures as an attraction in the museum. Doyle and Williams were the most important miniaturists in Boston during the first quarter of the 19th century. Among Doyle's sitters were Captain John Morgan, Isaiah Thomas, Sr. (American Antiquarian Society, Worcester) and John Lowell II. Doyle's self-portrait is in the collection of the New-York Historical Society.