Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Gustavus Russell Hamilton-Russell was born at historic Brancepeth Castle, Co. Durham in May 1830 and was just seven years old when this silhouette was cut. He was the only child of Gustavus Hamilton-Russell, 7th Viscount Boyne and Emma Maria Russell.
He inherited the Viscountcy in 1872 upon the death of his father.
Signed ‘Augn Edouart fecit 1837’ and in good condition with just a hint of old gum around the child’s shoulder, the silhouette resides in a period bird’s eye maple veneer frame with a gilt slip. The original backing board has been replaced with conservation board.
Finding himself exiled in England with a wife and young family to support, Augustin Edouart opened a shop in Cheltenham selling French curios and artificial flowers but the venture was short-lived and a bankruptcy notice was published in May 1826. He had also tried his hand at creating pictures of animals and landscapes out of hair. These found favour with HRH Duchess of York who commissioned portraits of her beloved dogs. The work was, however, time-consuming and so not cost-effective. But all was not lost, as Edouart discovered he had an aptitude for cutting silhouettes and, third time lucky, this venture proved hugely successful. He spent the next fifteen years travelling around the British Isles cutting thousands of profiles including many authors, musicians, politicians and royalty before setting sail to the United States where again he found favour and success.
Provenance: Ex. Bill Fox-Smith collection
Literature: Jackson, Ancestors in Silhouette, p.138 ; Rutherford, Silhouette, illus. p.125
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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Cut Silhouette with Watercolour by Augustin Edouart
