Dimmock, John (SCC Newsletter November 1994)

J.  DIMMOCK. 1808-1811.fl

Some more about his style.

I saw this silhouette some years ago in a shop – it turned out to be by Mr. Dimmock. I did not 'discover' this until I bought Mrs. McKechnie's book and realised that the small initials "IDF" below the rear of the bustline were his. (see p. 391.) I illustrate this silhouette below together with a detail - which shows the initials, the frill formation and the use of gum arabic to indicate details of clothing. As you will see there is a small shadow-line under the back of the bustline with more tiny lines beneath this. It is housed in a turned wood frame with a framer's label - Finlay, Carver & Guilder, 144, Trongate, Glasgow. (see Mrs. McK. p. 51 no. 45.) This frame maker was also used by George Bruce, whose style has been likened to that of Mr. Dimmock. This silhouette is very similar to the one illustrated in Mrs. McK. (p. 469. no. 737.)

About three years ago I was in Pershore Antiques Market and saw a silhouette of an elderly woman that interested me. The bustline was unusual - it had a shadow-line beneath and the sleeve decoration extended into this shadow-line. On the back was a label with many pieces missing - but clearly belonging to the frame and the silhouette within. I recorded the 'remains' as follows: ‑

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M O (these letters were large)

Profile – Pa . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . lville P . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . Trongate

. . . . . . . . . . . . . (the dots indicate missing

pieces.)

J. Dimmock. cont’d.

The vendor wanted £280 for the elderly lady and was not prepared to bargain – telling me that she had had it on good authority that it was by Mr. Miers as it had a label! So I departed empty handed. On returning home I quickly traced the label to Mr. Dimmock. (see Mrs. McK. p. 392. label no. 2.)

About 18 months ago a pair of silhouettes turned up in a mixed lot at Sotheby’s Billingshurst – I illustrated these below;

Neither has a label, but from my Pershore 'researches' and with reference to my earlier purchase clearly by Mr. Dimmock. The painting of the man's frill is right - also the way his hair is painted outside the main body. His shadow-line matches that of his partner - although she has the distinctive sleeve decoration. I illustrate these details below:

J. Dimmock. cont 'd.

A few weeks after acquiring my Dimmock pair I came across two further women with the same distinctive bustline. I have illustrated one of these plus some detail below - to show in particular the painting of her head-dress, and the use of gum arabic on the head as well as the painting of the frill around her neck, which is painted with much skill. All these silhouettes are on card and housed in papier mache frames.

Mrs. McKechnie had only seen three silhouettes by Mr. Dimmock when she wrote her Book - all these were of men, but she felt certain there were many others to be 'discovered'. It is possible that some of you have examples of his work - labelled, signed or not definately attributed. Do let me know if you have.

No details are known of his background - only that he worked in Glasgow 1808-1811. It is possible that some research could be done but it is difficult to know where to start.

Finally, I have reproduced trade label no. 1, which is behind the silhouette of Capt. Shaw of Newhall - referred to in Mrs. McK, under the section on "full or part colour" p. 743 - but not illustrated by her. The silhouette has been recently acquired by a member of the Club. It is painted with the same care as those I have photographed but with a sparing use of colour in rendering the uniform. The bustline is similar to my early buy. I think Mr. Dimmock developed his bustline termination as he went on - so that those with a complete shadow-line and sleeve decoration are likely to be later than those with initials and part bustline.