Jeremiah Meyer (1735–1789)

Jeremiah Meyer R.A. (1735–89) who was born 1735 in Tübingen as the son of a painter and about whom little has been researched. Although his childhood was characterised by poverty and misfortune, the multi-talented Meyer launched a dazzling career in London in the mid-18th century, rising to both wealth and influence. In 1764, he became Enamel Painter to King George III and Miniature Painter to Queen Charlotte. The latter considered him one of her closest confidants, and the royal couple showered him with privileges. Meyer was also one of the founding members of London’s Royal Academy of Arts, and he forged acquaintances (and sometimes friendships) with the most important English artists, scientists and politicians of his time, including luminaries such as Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Captain James Cook and Benjamin Franklin. In addition to his career as a portraitist in the highest aristocratic circles, his many years of teaching and involvement in the Academy meant that he wielded significant influence on London’s art world. Previously unpublished manuscripts prove that he also made interesting acquaintances on his later travels to the continent, including to his old home in Württemberg. This book is the first comprehensive account of Jeremiah Meyer’s life and work. Its content is based almost exclusively on historical and contemporary sources. Numerous visits to archives in England and Germany provided access to these often difficult-to-obtain documents and yielded authentic and unbiased information about Jeremiah Meyer’s life and work. The detailed catalogue raisonné, which currently lists 821 works, is intended to serve as a basis for research into Meyer’s artworks and to provide greater clarity in the attribution of his works. In addition, it will be a useful aid for auctioneers and art dealers in assessing and evaluating miniatures.