GAETANO MANINI (ITALIAN circa 1730-1780) An enamel portrait miniature of Frederick Louis Prince of Wales (1707-51) painted circa 1741 Enamel Gilt-metal mount Oval, 38 mm (1 1/2 in) high Literature: Richard Walker Miniatures, A Selection of Miniatures in the Ashmolean Museum, 1997, p.34. no. 34 Manini was a Milanese history painter who worked in England from 1755. He exhibited in London 1761-75. This enamel compares well with a signed and dated enamel of the Prince of Wales in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (cf. Richard Walker Miniatures, A Selection of Miniatures in the Ashmolean Museum, 1997, p.34. no. 34). The Ashmolean example is dated and is thought to derive from Thomas Frye's portrait of the Prince painted circa 1741 for the Guild of Saddlers. The Royal Collection contains two enamels by Manini, one showing the Prince in profile alone, the other showing the Prince and his wife Augusta, in profile facing one another. Frederick was a lover of the Arts, patronising a number of artists, composers and architects. Quickly accumulating large debts, Frederick relied for an income on his wealthy friend, George Dubb Dodington.