William Herschel discovered NGC 4291 = H I-275 = h1192, along with NGC 4319, on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066) and noted "cB, S, R." JH made four observations and logged on sweep 349 "pF; R; gbM; 20"; followed and almost surrounded by 3 stars 10m, one of which is double; has also a vS * sp dist 30"."

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/23/85): fairly bright, small, round, small bright nucleus, possible stellar nucleus at 312x. A mag 14 star is at the west edge 25" from the center. Form a pair with NGC 4319 6' SE. Located 13' NNE of mag 5.4 SAO 7540. NGC 4386 lies 20' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb