Barnes, Edward

Introduction:

Born in Lancashire in 1807, EDWARD BARNES is known for a small number of well-painted profiles that bear his printed trade label. Initially though, aged 18, it's probable he entered into a partnership with Peterborough-born itinerant profilist, mezzotint painter and former sadler Burton Wright Gilbert (ca. 1790 - 1848)

Operating as "Gilbert and Barnes" from the summer of 1825, the partnership visited various towns in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Warwickshire. Seemingly successful - according to their advertisements at least -  '1000s' of profiles were taken by the autumn of 1825.

McKechnie records "Gilbert and Barnes" profiles coarsely painted on card with grey and gum arabic highlights. The signature 'Gilbert and Barnes delint.' signed in pencil, can be found below a long, sloping bust-line termination. A final advertisement placed in the BIRMINGHAM CHRONICLE in March 1826 suggests the partnership was dissolved by spring that year.

The few extant works by Barnes working independently show a markedly higher degree of skill. Grey or sepia bodycolour is supplemented with bronze and gum arabic highlights, neatly applied to hair and attire. Bust-lines are long and sloping.

A sole newspaper advertisement placed in the NORTHAMPTON MERCURY of the 5th of May 1832 offered "...a striking likeness (with Frame and Glass inc.) for 1 SHILLING ONLY!!...by Mr. BARNES ARTIST from Lord Street, Liverpool (last from Leicester)". The advertisement is similarly worded to a Barnes partial handbill.

NOTE - McKechnie suggested Barnes may have worked for William Bullock's commercial museum in Liverpool alongside profilist William Allport (1779 - 1831). It transpires however that Barnes was aged 2 when Bullock relocated the museum to London in 1809.

Born in Leyland, Lancashire to Alice and George Barnes, a draper, in 1807, Edward Barnes married Elizabeth Edwards (ca. 1808 - before 1871) in Liverpool at St. Mary's Edge Hill in July 1829, the register showing Elizabeth was illiterate. Between 1832 - 1846 she gave birth to 3 sons and 4 daughters.

1841 - 1871 Census returns evidence Barnes and family settled in Liverpool's Knotty Ash district; each census in turn lists him an Artist, Theatre Scenery Painter, Animal Painter and Landscape Painter.

Widowed some time after 1861, Edward Barnes' own death, aged 66, was registered in Liverpool between October - December 1873. His interment is unrecorded.

Revised 26 September 2023 (Brian Wellings)