Gibbs, Miss

Introduction:

In 1978 McKechnie speculated whether "Miss Gibbs" was the daughter of Hinton Gibbs (1783-1839), an artist admired for fine likenesses on glass. Research in 2020 confirmed the relationship.

SARAH GIBBS, the eldest child of Hinton and Eliza Gibbs, was born in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, in February 1807. Hinton served from the age of 10 in the Bedford Militia until its disbandment in 1815, and was doubtless in one of its 2 companies posted on the island at the time of Sarah's birth.

As far as known, no attributable work for "Miss Gibbs" is recorded. Though from advertisements placed between the 4th of June 1824 and the 21st of September 1825 in the NORTH DEVON JOURNAL, WEST BRITON, ROYAL CORNWALL GAZETTE and TAUNTON COURIER, it's clear, aged 17, she undertook a tour of Cornwall with her father, who spoke of "...the pleasure he will ever feel in...the marked attention his daughter's talent...met with in Truro".

Among others, the advertisement in the NORTH DEVON JOURNAL of the 3rd of July 1825 indicates she "by mere sight only...with a pair of COMMON SCISSORS...gives an Astonishing Delineation of the HUMAN FACE and FIGURE". Bust, full-length and conversation pieces, plain and bronze highlighted, were offered from 1 shilling to £2.10 shillings. Interestingly, listed among the variety of prices were "Beautiful specimens in Glass 15 shillings and upwards". There can be little doubt these were painted by her father. Given that it's known he chaperoned her, it would have made sense to maximise the tour's profitability by painting works himself.

Recently an undated cut-down handbill for "Miss Gibbs Artist in Paper no.9 Bridge Street" (Bath) appeared with 2 unframed bronze-highlighted cut-work silhouettes.  Both are of the period though differing in style, making it uncertain whether both works were produced by her. However, it's certain both works are of indifferent quality. The handbill advertises bust and full-length profiles and lessons for ladies to produce "Transparent Landscapes cut with scissors".

The last known newspaper record for "Miss Gibbs" appears on 1st of August 1829 in the HUNTINGDON, BEDFORD and PETERBOROUGH GAZETTE where, visiting the "...native place of her father..." she offered lessons in "Oriental Tinting" and "Likenesses in Shade Neatly Bronzed". This advertisement confirms the fact she is Hinton Gibbs' daughter, as he was born in Bedford in 1783.

Whether she undertook any other tours is unknown but her career such as it was, likely ended in 1830 when in December, she married Bedford-born London solicitor Francis Herbert (1803-1875) at Camberwell.

Giving birth to 4 daughters and 6 sons between 1833 and 1848, she died at Vineyards Cottage, Richmond, Surrey and was buried in London's Brompton Cemetery on the 3rd of September 1864, aged 57.