Gibbs, Hinton (McKechnie Section 6)

See Section Three for main entry

Although Gibbs does not describe himself as a miniaturist on any of his trade labels (sometimes, admittedly, he uses the term 'artist’ in handwritten inscriptions), he did paint some portrait miniatures in full colour, one of which (painted in c. 1818) is illustrated. The sitter is Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell-Carew. To have secured the custom of so distinguished a sitter Gibbs must have enjoyed a fair reputation as a miniaturist, although his work in this field does not appear to have been previously recorded and this miniature is not of particularly good qualifty. The moulding of the admiral’s features shows the best brushwork. Minute hatching is visible in the flesh-tints, blue being conspicuous about the mouth. The clothing is not painted with much care ; the blue of the admiral’s uniform is thickly applied, and the cravat clumsily drawn. Medals and buttons are painted with reasonable accuracy. The background is stippled in different depths of muddy grey.

Little use is made of the colour of the ivory itself.

Ill. 1530does not appear to have been previously recorded and this miniature is not of particularly good quality. The moulding of the admiral's features shows the best brushwork. Minute hatching is visible in the flesh tints, blue being conspicuous about the mouth. The clothing is not painted with much care; the blue of the admiral's uniform is thickly applied, and the cravat clumsily drawn. Medals and buttons are painted with reasonable accuracy. The background is stippled in different depths of muddy grey. Little use is made of the colour of the ivory itself.

111. 1530