William Bicknell by Samuel Cotes,
signed & dated 1777.

This extraordinary portrait, of unusually large size for 1777, must be considered one of Cotes' most powerful.

Though the provenance of this remarkable portrait is clear, the actual identity of William Bicknell remains a mystery.  The inscription on the backing paper relates, ‘Mr Bicknell/a espousé Miss Talbot dont/ le portrait à l'huile est chez M/ le Mqis de Dion./ ...grand père maternel de/ William de [du?] Colligny/ Adolphe de Colligny/ Valerie de Colligny/ cette Miniature est signé/ SS [sic] 1777.'  In a different hand, following several illegible words, ‘pour le Mis de Dion. Et son/ fils.'  Another label, in the same hand, states Mr Bicknell/ Gd Père de Madame/ A. de Colignuy. Miniature par Lawrens.'  In 1823, The Gentleman's Magazine trumpeted the March marriage at St. George's, Hanover Square, "Philippe Louis Joseph de Dion, to Eliza. dau. of W. Bicknell, Esq., of Clarges Street."  Armorial historique de la noblesse de France, notes that Baroness de Dion's father was "William Bicknell, écuyer."   The miniature passed through the De Dion and Coligny families of the De Dion-Bouton motor car company. 

The Bicknell family originally came from Somerset.  The majority had settled in London two generations before this portrait was painted.  The most visible branch of the family were hatters and hosiers with Royal Warrants and Mayfair premises, Wm & Geo Bicknell, 57 Piccadilly, and W & G Bicknell, Army Hatter, Hosiers & Glovers to their Majesties, 1 Old Bond Street.   That William Bicknell is likely the one who lived in Portman Square.  There was also a William Bicknell, (1749-1861), a scientist and educator, who has traditionally been identified with this miniature.  Interestingly, he married Elizabeth Randall in 1777, the date of this portrait. But given his birth date, it is unlikely to be he as the sitter would have been only twenty-eight when this miniature was taken.
    
Set in the original turned wood frame with beaded brass bezel, signed lower right SC/ 1777.

3 3/4 inches (9.5 cm) high.

Samuel Cotes (1734-1818), one of the most elegant artists of his time, exhibited at the Society of Artists 1760-1768 and the Royal Academy 1769-1789. Graham Reynolds noted that Cotes "invests his sitters with an air of sturdy self-confidence."    Taught by his elder brother, celebrated portraitist, Frances Cotes, R.A., his sumptuous miniatures bear strong resemblance to his brother's portraits.  The Samuel Cotes exhibit in the first Royal Academy show of 1769 was a strong portrait of the celebrated actress Mrs. Yates  as Electra, now in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

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