Samuel Shelley - England 1750-1808 - Detailed Watercolor Painting on Paper. Entitled Felina, Depicting a Lady with Cat. 11" x 13" Gilt Frame. Artist Bio in French Attached Rear. Provenance: Important New York Estate. Shelley was a leading miniaturist, i.e., painter of portrait miniatures, of his time, ranking with Cosway, Smart, and Crosse. In addition to his portraits, he also painted in watercolours fancy figures and compositions from Shakespeare, Tasso, and other poets. His watercolours and miniatures were engraved by Bartolozzi, William Nutter, Caroline Watson, and others. Born in London, Shelley was fmostly self taught as an artist. His first exhibition was at the Society of Artists in 1773, in the following year he entered the Royal Academy Schools. He became influenced by the work of Sir Joshua Reynolds. During his career Shelley painted in oil, illustrated books, and engraved several of his own works, but he's most particularly remembered for his watercolour miniature portraits. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Society of Artists and the British Institute. In 1804 Shelley joined with W. F. Wells, Robert Hills, W. H. Pyne, and 6 other artists founding the Watercolour Society (afterwards known as the "Old" society), of which he was treasurer until 1807. Shelley also taught painting, Edward Nash (miniaturist) and Alexander Robertson being two of his pupils.