Hine, H. J. C. (McKechnie Section 2)
Known from the discovery by Mr T. E. F. Sainsbury of seven silhouettes of men. Each bore a number and year, printed and stuck to the card bearing the profile: the number (above the profile) appeared to indicate that the piece was one in a series of portraits; the year referred to the date of the profile. The profiles are signed with varying inscriptions. They were housed in an assortment of frames, and showed signs (on the backs) of having been stuck down at some time, possibly in an album. They may have been a record of the members of a Masonic Lodge, or another men's society of some kind. Hine might have been either a talented amateur who painted and tabulated profiles of his friends, or a professional who was employed by some organization to take silhouettes of its members.
The examples are painted on card. The high collar and/or stock of the period is left white, with some shading to denote the folds. In every case, the bust-line consists of an almost straight line, and each example is finished by a pool of shading (either in water-colour wash or pencil) on which the signature is placed. Any unsigned silhouettes (of men or women) might be recognized by this singular shading.
One example of Hine's signature is illustrated.
Ills. 842-844
842
Unknown man
Silhouette painted on card
11 September 1828
4 x 3½in./102 x 90mm.
That the year given below each silhouette in this series refers to the date at which the example was painted is confirmed by the full date given with the signature.
Unknown man
Silhouette painted on card
11 September 1828
4 x 3½in./102 x 90mm.
Above the silhouette is its number in the series (24); below is the year 1828.
That the year given below each silhouette in this series refers to the date at which the example was painted is confirmed by the full date given with the signature.
T. E. F. Sainsbury collection
843
Unknown cleric
Silhouette painted on card
3½ x 2¼in./90 x 58mm.
Unknown cleric
Silhouette painted on card
3½ x 2¼in./90 x 58mm.
The number and year of this silhouette (in the same series as the example shown in 842) were lost when it was cut to fit its present rosewood frame.
Author’s collection
844
Signature of H. J. C. Hine, with date. The shading is in pencil.
Signature of H. J. C. Hine, with date. The shading is in pencil.
T. E. F. Sainsbury collection