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ID #SA1226071
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£250
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Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery
Gertrude Antiques
for sale €293     $318
£250

Gertrude Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2016
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Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery

19th century
Description

A charming full length silhouette dating back to the nineteenth century. This elegant gentleman is wearing a top hat and frock coat. In his hand is an umbrella. Embossed in the right hand corner is a stamp stating “taken at the Hubard Gallery.”

W. J. Hubard’s professional career began in 1822. He achieved fame as a child prodigy silhouette cutter, when he began cutting at 12 years old - allegedly snipping portraits of members of his church congregation. His works are considered to be the finest examples of Papyrotomic Art.

An entrepreneur named Mr Smith noticed Hubard’s skills and arranged a tour of the UK. This led to the establishment of the Hubard Gallery. With a musical concert in the background, people sat for a striking portrait, cut entirely by hand by Hubard, without the help of a drawing or any machine.

During his early years Hubard was commissioned by the Duchess of Kent to cut a profile of the future Queen Victoria aged two, then staying in Ramsgate.

In 1824, Smith moved the tour to the USA finding immediate success.

Hubard severed ties with his business manager in 1826 (at which point the Gallery was in Boston). Sources suggest that in 1827 the Gallery was in Canada. In 1828, it was back in the USA and then in 1829 it returned to England.

Hubard later went on to master oil painting, becoming a high ranking portraitist of the political elite, including President Andrew Jackson.

Hubard’s paintings and highly collectible silhouettes can be found in major museums, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The Hubard Gallery went on to employ other talented artists under its founder Mr W.C. Smith and continued to tour the US and UK under his famous name. In 1838 the management passed to Mr E Parker. The Gallery had at its disposal embossed stamps as used in this specimen..

Condition - Good (slight marking to the paper left corner). A tiny strip of the frame missing at the bottom left.

Dimensions: 41cms x 30 cms

See photo of an old newspaper cutting stuck on the wooden back of the silhouette under the paper.

Declaration

Gertrude Antiques has dated this Framed Antique Silhouette Portrait to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1226071
Description
A charming full length silhouette dating back to the nineteenth century. This elegant gentleman is wearing a top hat and frock coat. In his hand is an umbrella. Embossed in the right hand corner is a stamp stating “taken at the Hubard Gallery.”

W. J. Hubard’s professional career began in 1822.

“
He achieved fame as a child prodigy silhouette cutter, when he began cutting at 12 years old - allegedly snipping portraits of members of his church congregation.
Gertrude Antiques

His works are considered to be the finest examples of Papyrotomic Art.

fig 1. A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.
fig 1. Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery

An entrepreneur named Mr Smith noticed Hubard’s skills and arranged a tour of the UK. This led to the establishment of the Hubard Gallery. With a musical concert in the background, people sat for a striking portrait, cut entirely by hand by Hubard, without the help of a drawing or any machine.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.
fig 2. Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery

During his early years Hubard was commissioned by the Duchess of Kent to cut a profile of the future Queen Victoria aged two, then staying in Ramsgate.

In 1824, Smith moved the tour to the USA finding immediate success.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.
fig 3. Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery

Hubard severed ties with his business manager in 1826 (at which point the Gallery was in Boston). Sources suggest that in 1827 the Gallery was in Canada. In 1828, it was back in the USA and then in 1829 it returned to England.

Hubard later went on to master oil painting, becoming a high ranking portraitist of the political elite, including President Andrew Jackson.

Hubard’s paintings and highly collectible silhouettes can be found in major museums, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The Hubard Gallery went on to employ other talented artists under its founder Mr W.C. Smith and continued to tour the US and UK under his famous name. In 1838 the management passed to Mr E Parker. The Gallery had at its disposal embossed stamps as used in this specimen..

Condition - Good (slight marking to the paper left corner). A tiny strip of the frame missing at the bottom left.

Dimensions: 41cms x 30 cms

See photo of an old newspaper cutting stuck on the wooden back of the silhouette under the paper.

Date of Manufacture

Gertrude Antiques has dated this Framed Antique Silhouette Portrait to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1226071
Gertrude Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2016
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gertrude Antiques Profile Page

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A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.
1 / 4
Archive I A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.

Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery

Archive II A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame. View II
Archive III A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame. View III
Archive IV A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame. View IV
Enlarged Archival View

Gertrude Antiques
Telephone 07786 022 538
Location
East Sussex
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gertrudeantiques
Verified Since Dec 2016
Items For Sale 74
Items Sold 126
Gertrude Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: East Sussex, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gertrudeantiques
Verified
Dec 2016
For Sale
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126
A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.
Nineteenth Century Silhouette of an Elegant Gentleman from the Hubard Gallery
Ref: SA1226071
A nineteenth-century full-length silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a top hat holding an umbrella, presented in a gilded slip and a dark wood frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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FAQs

A silhouette portrait is a profile likeness rendered as a solid flat image, often cut from black paper or painted in dark monochrome ink against a light background. Popular in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, artists like those at the Hubard Gallery produced cut or painted profiles as accessible alternatives to painted miniature oil portraits.

Period silhouettes were commonly executed using black cut paper, India ink, or watercolour wash on paper, plaster, or ivory. Highlights were sometimes applied in gold leaf or bronzing paint, and the completed works were mounted within moulded dark wood frames with gilded inner slips.

Authentic nineteenth-century silhouettes display natural age characteristics, such as light foxing or yellowing on the paper background, crisp scissor-cut edges, or hand-applied bronzing details. Period framing, backboards fastened with old nails, and original trade labels from studios like the Hubard Gallery also verify age.

Small framed silhouettes perform well as part of a curated gallery wall alongside antique engravings, oil sketches, or botanical prints. Positioned in narrow spaces or alcoves, they add historical character when paired with period furniture, dark wood panelling, or traditional brass accent lighting.

Display the framed artwork away from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources to prevent fading and paper degradation. Ensure the glazing provides UV protection and maintain a stable indoor humidity level to prevent paper cockling or mould formation.
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