A bronze medal bearing a profile portrait of John Smart sculpted by Joachim Smith,
cast by John Kirk, circa 1777.

The uniface medal, signed Smith m Kirk f, was struck to celebrate Smart's election as Director and Vice-President of the Society of Artists.  Both Smith and Kirk were fellow members.

John Smart (1742/3 - 1811) is arguably now the most desirable of the 18th century British miniaturists and certainly one of the greatest.  The first record of Smart was in 1755 when the Society of Arts held its first competition.  Smart won second place to Richard Cosway's first for children under 14 years old.  Smart exhibited at the Society of Artists from 1762-1783, elected F.S.A. in 1765.  He was made Director  in 1772, served as the organization's Vice-President in 1777, and President in 1778.   Additionally, he exhibited at the Royal Academy 1797-1811.  Smart was one of the most successful artists to work in India.  From 1785, for 10 years, Smart was patronized by both East India Company officials and Indian Princes.  His portraits of General Cornwallis from this time are among his finest.  Smart's impeccable miniatures may be seen in virtually every important collection.  Of particular note is the Starr Collection at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City.  Represented is a signed and dated miniature from every year of Smart's professional career, 1760-1810.

1 3/8 inches (3.6 cm) high.

Joachim Smith (c.1737-1814) was a sculptor, wax modeler and cameo engraver.  Acclaimed for modeling his portraits in wax for Wedgwood, his profiles were also used as models for gem cutters and cameo engravers.  His subjects included the Duke and Duchess or Norfolk, Mrs. Fitzherbert, and a portrait of the infant Prince of Wales "whole length naked, entirely in the round lying on a couch of crimson velvet," commissioned by Queen Charlotte which she presented to George III.

John Kirk (1724-1778) was a leading medal artist of the mid-Georgian period, beginning his career with a portrait medal of George II.  He went on to commemorate the King's son, Frederick, Prince of Wales, then and his son, George III.
See: Foskett, John Smart; The Man and His Miniatures, pages 7 & 8 for a discussion of this medal.

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Elle Shushan - Fine Portrait Miniatures
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