RICHARD BULL (IRISH fl. 1777-1809) Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, possibly Mr. Brandon, wearing a brown coat and a frilled white cravat, 1799 Signed R. Bull and dated 1799 on the obverse Watercolour on ivory Gold fausse-montre frame, the reverse with elaborate gold monogram MPB on plaited hair surrounded with a gold lute at the bottom and surmounted with a basket of flowers, the border engraved with elaborate floral motif Oval, 68mm (2 3/4in) high Exhibited: Comerford Collection at the Irish Architectural Archives, Dublin, 2009 Literature: The Comerford Collection: Portrait Miniatures, (privately published, Dublin, 2009) pp 8, 33 (# 114) Bull was taught at the Dublin Society School. He practiced in Dublin but moved to London in 1794 where he exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. Many of his sitters were Irish. It is possible that this is a portrait of Mr. Brandon, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1799, number 824.