Wass, Charles Wentworth (SCC Newsletter April 2010)

C.H. Wass

Some Information on the Work of C. H. Wass c. 1842

As C. H. Wass is almost certainly the son of John West, it seemed appropriate to look at his work. At the time of publishing her Book Mrs. McK had only seen one example of work. His name had no appeared in any of the reference books on silhouette prior to publication of her Book in 1978. Neither was he listed in Mrs. Daphne Foskett's books in on miniatures. He like the elder Wass did not have a printed label—only using band written inscriptions. At the time he was working it is likely that an artist without a printed label probably had other sources of income, may not have been very prolific or had a short silhouette career.

Wass, C. H. Page 5

I have illustrated above on the left a silhouette from the Book on page 506 illus.944 - this is the only work seen by Mrs. McK. by this artist. On his right is the photograph of a very similar silhouette sent to me by Christie's South Kensington in December, 1997. The owner of the silhouette was thinking of selling it and Christie's were consulting me about its possible value. However, in the end the owner decided not to sell. Fortunately it had an inscription on the reverse by C. H. Wass, so there was no problem about attribution. I do not think I would have had a clue otherwise! Both these silhouettes are heavily gilded all over with some skill with a black base colour. Mrs McK likened his gilding to that of Jefferson, but pointed out that his brush strokes depicting his sitter's hair rising from the crown of their heads were finer than those of Jefferson—I think this is saying something for Mr Wass's talents. However, I think that the fineness of these strokes does match those of John Wass and may go to `prove' that the pair were father and son! I am sorry that I do not have coloured photographs of these works to show the quality of the gilding.

Below is a silhouette of a soldier from the Andrew Collection at Stonor Park. There is no inscription on the reverse but it has been attributed to C. H. Wass on stylistic grounds. It is certainly very well painted and gilded and the base line termination is similar to the two gentlemen above.

The artists only recorded inscription gives an address "4, Robert Street, Adelphi, London" This street still exists and is in the W. C. 2 area—just off The Strand near Charing Cross Station. The inscription is illustrated in the Book on page 506 illus.945. It is very unlikely that this address was the artist's home address—I suspect this is why Mrs McK. made no further enquiries!