Pantheon
Gender:
N/K
Date and place of birth:
N/K
Date and place of death:
N/K
Worked:
(fl) 1834- N/K
Known places of work:
Pantheon Bazaar, Oxford Street, London
Known techniques:
Cutwork
Known materials:
Paper and card
Frames:
N/K
Signature:
N/K
Introduction:
As far as known, only one silhouette is recorded from the PANTHEON BAZAAR in London's Oxford Street. However the work is of some historical significance, as it is the sole portrait of famed profilist John Field (1772-1848). As the Bazaar opened on the 28th of May 1834, Field's silhouette was cut on or after that date.
Illustrated by McKechnie, the work is cut, appears to be plain black and laid on card. Its reverse is inscribed "Done for John Field at the Pantheon" and McKechnie records the words were written in Field's own hand. Additionally inscribed is "A.Compton, Tavistock Hotel". McKechnie speculated that Compton may have been the Pantheon silhouettist. Either way, no evidence has come to light, and the profilist remains unknown.
Constructed as an Assembly Room in 1772, the Pantheon had a later chequered history as a theatre. The building stood empty between 1824 and May 1834, when complete with papier mâché decorations, conservatory and aviary, it reopened as the PANTHEON BAZAAR. Newspaper advertisements record a wide variety of items offered from at least 160 rented counters. No advertisements specifically offering silhouettes at the Bazaar have been traced.
Revised 23 October 2022 (Brian Wellings)
Additional research about Pantheon:
Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)
Pantheon (McKechnie Section 1)