Andrew Plimer was one of the most characteristic miniaturists of the late 18th century and was very prolific. His work was much copied and imitated both during and after his lifetime. Andrew and his brother Nathaniel were the sons of a Shropshire clock maker and were initially trained in this craft. However, the brothers rejected their father’s trade and ran away to London where, in 1781, Andrew became a manservant to Richard Cosway, one of the foremost miniaturists of the period. Cosway nurtured Andrew