Mitchell, John Thomas

Introduction:

London based JOHN THOMAS MITCHELL (ca.1773-1844) for over 3 decades a Royal Academy exhibitor was primarily a Portrait Miniaturist of some merit. Between 1808-1818, as evidenced by Academy catalogues and a printed Trade-label, he entered into a studio partnership with Watchmaker and Profilist Joshua Trewinnard (1761-1837) at 40 Strand, Westminster, one of the Capital's prime commercial thoroughfares.

At the same address, 1804-1806, Trewinnard's initial partner was his wife Ann née Smith (dec. after 1806). As a Royal Acadamy exhibitor (fl. 1797-1806) it's possible she tutored her watchmaking husband in the art of profile taking. She was also probably aquainted with Mitchell, as from 1799 his earliest Academy miniatures are addressed from ' Dukes Court, St. Martin's Lane' while a miniature by Ann Trewinnard of the same period is addressed '108 St. Martin's Lane'.

In turn, from 40 Strand, both Ann Trewinnard and Mitchell advertised 'Miniatures...finished in the first stile from Three to Five Guineas' . Neither though can be precluded from taking silhouettes there as all lack a commonality of style and exhibit marked variance in quality.

Though unadvertised, other artists' work was reproduced at 40 Strand. Competent copies of earlier original profiles, almost certainly by John Miers (1758-1821) are recorded. Another, illustrated in McKechnie and patently copied from an original by John Buncombe (ca.1758-1837) is a 3/4 length coloured profile of Sir Narborough D'Aeth (1766-1808) in military uniform, bearing an 1808-1818 joint Trewinnard/Mitchell trade label. As the sitter died in 1808, the work may have been commissioned as a memento mori. McKechnie assessed, without evidence, that Mitchell painted it, but it may equally have come from the hand of Joshua Trewinnard.

However, it's unlikely Trewinnard's hand crafted any coloured profile miniatures on ivory. Both trade labels describe them painted '...in a most approved stile...the Features and Complexion are obtained as well as a correct outline'. Generally rendered over a deep umber ground with features and attire delineated, they are consistently accomplished. Seven were sold at Gorringes Auctions 24th November 2024, and one, signed Ann Trewinnard, is housed in the V&A Collection. The fact that she and Mitchell were Academy exhibitors, and Joshua Trewinnard never was, strongly suggests they, not Trewinnard, provided the skill-set for these works.

While Trewinnard and family resided at 40 Strand, Mitchell, as evidenced by RA catalogues, lived elsewhere. Between 1808-1811, his joint address was Upper John St., Fitzroy Sq./40 Strand and a June 1812 Sun Alliance policy found him insuring both a property in Queens Elm, Chelsea and 'Trewinnard, Picture Dealer, 40 Strand'.

1810 and 1812 catalogues also record a 'Miss Mitchell' exhibiting miniatures from Upper John St. and Pomona Cottage, Queens Elm, Chelsea. It may be she was an unrecorded sibling or perhaps Mitchell's eldest child Lucy, baptised ,though not necessarily born in 1798.

In 1816 the 'Miss Smith' who exhibited a portrait miniature at the RA from 'Mr. Mitchell's 40 Strand" was almost certainly Jane Cecilia Smith (1794-1838) who, as Mrs. Edward Smyth, would later work with Trewinnard. And though evidence is absent, she may have also have been a niece of Trewinnard's first wife.

In June 1818, Mitchell applied for membership of the Artists' Annuity and Benevolent Fund. Giving his age as '45 years', he was sponsored by engravers Pye, Findon and Holl. The same year he also removed from 40 Strand, working at various addresses in Oxford Street and the Strand. Interestingly, in 1829, he was operating from 11 Strand, the address between 1829 -1832 of famed profilist John Field (1772 -1848). In 1830, Mitchell exhibited a final miniature at the RA from Seymour St., Euston Square.

No record of him has been sourced between 1831-1844. Fosketts' Dictionary of British Miniaturists (1972) suggests, without citations, that after 1830 Mitchell worked for a time in the United States in Baltimore. However, current research found no evidence of the supposition.

Mitchell's early records are equally opaque. His first record is his marriage in London 2nd June 1792 to Elizabeth Corbett (1771-1865), daughter of tailor Matthias Corbett (1744-1813). She bore at least 3 offspring: Lucy (ca.1798-N/K), Elizabeth Cranciana (1800-1896) and a son who is only known because Mitchell entered a portrait miniature of 'his deceased son' for the 1816 RA Exhibition.

Though no marriage registration was traced, Mitchell's daughter Elizabeth Cranciana gave birth in London to Louisa Elizabeth Augusta Bigg (1820-1894), fathered by Robert Bigg (1786-1850) 'Gent' of Barnsbury Park [Road], Islington. Next recorded in the 1841 Census, the Bigg family abode is Coles Terrace, Barnsbury Road.

In all probability, the 71-year-old John Thomas Mitchell also of Barnsbury Road, buried 20th January 1844 at Highgate Cemetery, was the miniaturist. Additionally, the age recorded equates to that given when Mitchell applied for membership of the Artists' Annuity and Benevolent Fund in 1818.

Revised: 21 July 2025 (Brian Wellings)