A gentleman by Miss Sarah Biffin,
signed & dated 1849.

Set in a gilt metal pendant frame, fully signed and dated on the reverse ‘1849/ Painted/ by/ Mifs Biffin/ without/ hands/ Liverpool'.

1 5/8 inches (4.1 cm) high.

Sarah Biffin (1784-1850), the daughter of a farm worker, was born without hands, arms and feet. She taught herself to paint using her mouth to hold the brush. Discovered by a Mr. Dukes, he convinced her parents to allow her to be bound to him for many years. He then toured England with her, exhibiting her as a freak and genius combined. The public paid to see her, and then Dukes charged additional fees for her miniatures. The Earl of Morton saw her at Bartholomew Fair and was so delighted with his miniature by Miss Biffin that he showed it to King George III. The King commanded artist W. M. Craig to tutor her. Her work improved so much that in 1821, she was awarded a silver medal by the Society of Arts. The Earl offered to buy Miss Biffin her freedom, but she declined, and continued to tour with Dukes and his family for sixteen years. In 1824, she married a Mr. Wright, who took what money she had and then abandoned her. But the patronage of the Royal Family, including King George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria continued and with the help of the Earl of Morton, she managed to support herself. After the Earl's death, her own health failed and by 1846, she was suffering. A group of influential people in Liverpool raised a subscription which enabled her to live in some comfort and continue to work. This remarkable woman died in her home and was buried in St. James Cemetery, Liverpool.