Prosopographus
Gender:
N/A
Date and place of birth:
N/A
Date and place of death:
N/A
Worked:
(fl) 1820-1835
Known places of work:
Widely itinerant, England and Scotland
Known techniques:
Outline of sitters' profiles mechanically drawn, then infilled and cut by human hand
Known materials:
Black or blackened paper and card
Frames:
Papier-mâché, reeded and plain ebonised wood, rosewood
Signature:
Trade labels
Introduction:
In July 1820, after debuting the mechanical profile taking abilities of PROSOPOGRAPHUS the AUTOMATON ARTIST, its 'proprietor and inventor', portrait miniaturist and profilist Charles Hervé (1785-1866), showcased its novelty with extensive well-patronised tours of towns and cities in England and Scotland until July 1835.
According to THE INVERNESS COURIER, 15th March 1826, potential clients would have seen "The Automaton splendidly attired as a Spanish Grandee, seated on a richly ornamented Throne". This is confirmed by an illustrated advertisement in the LEAMINGTON SPA COURIER, 17th May 1834, and several handbills, one of which is illustrated in McKechnie.
The LONDON MORNING POST, 4th June 1821, records sitters were then "..presented with an outline of their Faces in Profile, executed by this curious Figure...[after which]...an Artist is employed to fill up and finish the Outlines at various prices".
To be continued
Additional research about Prosopographus:
Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)
Prosopographus (McKechnie Section 1)Prosopographus (McKechnie Section 2)
Prosopographus (McKechnie Section 6)
Source: Joll (Hon. Secretary of the Silhouette Collectors Club and Editor of the Club's newsletter)
Prosopographus (SCC Newsletter September 2010)