Batenham, George

Introduction:

An itinerant profilist, publisher, engraver and stationer, GEORGE BATENHAM (ca.1771-1833) produced well-executed bust-size, full-length and conversation pieces exclusively on flat glass. He also had a unique way of presenting some likenesses, as a conversation piece sold at Sothebys (London) in April 1971 was painted on 3 separate layers. The top layer of glass was painted with figures, the second depicted a room and through its window, a third layer in paper depicted a shrub-filled garden. Batenham's work is extremely rare.

McKechnie records 2 bust-size profiles housed in rectangular frames of ebonised wood. More recent finds include a verre églomisé bordered ca.1807 full-length study of a boy, also housed in a rectangular ebonised wood frame, which bears an unrecorded 'Wrexham' printed trade label, and an unlabelled half-length portrait of 'Revd. Watkins' housed in a papier-mâché frame which 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".

Leaving word for him in Wrexham or Chester suggests Batenham lived elsewhere. As his first 3 offspring were born in Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire between 1800-1804, he likely resided there at that time. However, no conclusive evidence of his background before 1812 has come to light. He is first recorded in Chester in a notice in the CHESTER COURANT 21st January 1812 as tenant of a house/shop in Northgate and it's possible his profile-taking career was over by then.

PIGOTS 1828 Directory states Chester was "...in point of antiquity, local interest and objects claiming attention from the curious and refined...parallel to most... [towns]... and superior to many". Batenham would have been well-placed to cater for visitors, as the same directory lists him a Bookseller, Stationer and Owner of a Circulating Library. Research also revealed he was a copperplate and wood engraver, publisher of tour guides and illustrator. His address was "Northgate City Walls".

Batenham is rated a mention 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...[William]... 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. (1801-1821) and William (1804-1833) both artists and engravers, were doubtless taught by their father. Both supplied etchings for their father's publications. As evidenced by the CHESTER CHRONICLE 27th July 1832, William Batenham "continued...[teaching]...Drawing and Perspective..." at his Northgate Academy. Tragically both sons would predecease 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 May 1833. He died "...after a lingering illness" on May 6th and was interred in the city church of St.Oswalds.

Revised 6 October 2022 (Brian Wellings)