Batenham, George

Introduction:

Working exclusively on flat glass, painting well-executed bust-size, full-length and conversation pieces, GEORGE BATENHAM's profiles are extremely rare. He also had a unique way of presenting some likenesses.

A conversation piece sold at Sothebys (London) in April 1971 was painted on 3 separate layers. McKechnie described the top layer of glass painted with figures, the second glass layer depicted a room and through its window, a third layer in paper depicted a shrub-filled garden.

McKechnie also described 2 bust-size profiles bordered by verre eglomisé ovals. The glass outside the ovals was painted black, giving the likenesses the appearance of being seen, to quote McKechnie, "through an oval window". Both works were housed in rectangular frames of ebonised wood.

More recent finds include a full-length study of a boy which bears an unrecorded "Wrexham" trade label and an unlabelled bust-size work of "Revd. Watkins" housed in a papier mâché frame. This work is attributed to Batenham on stylistic grounds.Three Batenham printed trade labels are now recorded. The first offers profiles from 6 shillings to 1 guinea, with the town of Caernarvon  crossed through and St. Asaph substituted. The second offers works for the same tariff "by a line...addressed to Mrs.Tye, Wrexham". The third specifically offers profiles on glass from 7s.6d. to 1gn. Customers were advised Batenham could be contacted "...at Mr. Hunter's CHESTER where FRAMES ARE ELEGANTLY FINISHED".

From the Chester trade label, the words "...leaving a line at Mr. Hunter's" suggest Batenham resided elsewhere, and though no conclusive evidence of his background before 1815 has come to light, it's possible his profile career was over by that time.

2020 research has discovered Batenham resided in Chester from at least midsummer 1815 until his death in May 1833. PIGOTS 1828 DIRECTORY states Chester was "...in point of antiquity, local interest and objects claiming attention fromthe curious and refined...parallel to most [towns] and superior to many". According to the same directory, Batenham would have been well-placed to cater for visitors, as he is listed a Bookseller, Stationer and Owner of a Circulating Library. Research also learned he was a copperplate and wood engraver, publisher of tour guides and illustrator. His address was "Northgate City Walls".

Batenham is mentioned in THE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF CHESTER (1831): "Immediately before the Northgate a shop on the left hand, level with the walls, is occupied by Mr. Batenham...who as well as his son is...deserving of mention for the many small, but useful publications...of...local topography and antiquities of Chester embellished with numerous wood engravings...and several separate engravings of...views in the city and neighbourhood".

Batenham's 2 eldest sons, George Jnr. (1801-21) and William (1804-33) both artists and engravers, were doubtless taught by their father. In July 1832 the CHESTER CHRONICLE records a Drawing Academy opened by William Batenham, who was Batenham's unknown 'son' mentioned in the previous paragraph. Tragically both predeceased their father.

His wife Ann (dec.1844) gave birth to 5 sons and 3 daughters between 1800 and 1819. Between pregnancies, she wrote "A Traveller's Companion in an Excursion from Chester to North Wales (1818)". Published by her husband, it was reprinted in 1827.

Batenham's own first publication appears to be "Panoramic Delineations of the 4 principal streets of Chester (1816)". Following on were "A Stranger's Companion to Chester (1821)", which ran to 6 editions, "A Plan of Chester with Recent Improvements (1819) with engravings by George Bateman Jnr.,  and in 1823 "A Visit to the cathedral Church of Chester" with etchings by himself, which ran to 4 editions.

Batenham's obituary appears in the CHESTER CHRONICLE 10th of May 1833. He died "...after a lingering illness" on the 6th of May and was interred in the city church of St.Oswalds.

Revised 6 October 2022 (Brian Wellings)