Friend, Robert

Introduction:

Robert Friend of Tunbridge Wells was a relatively unknown silhouette artist, who was active in the late 18th century and became known for his carefully detailed Indian ink on card portraits. Despite his evident talent, it is believed that Friend gave up silhouette painting in 1790.

Robert Friend was born in the latter half of the 18th century and buried in 1820 at Speldhurst Church in Tunbridge Wells – the town which he was largely associated with. Little is known of his personal circumstances other than that he married and that the couple raised a daughter. As a young man Friend started painting portraits of his family and friends, leading some to believe that he was an amateur artist. Yet the sophistication and skill of his portraits, as well as the fact that some of them bear printed trade labels and brass frames, suggest that Friend was indeed a professional artist. Sources suggest that Friend abandoned silhouette painting in 1790, possibly to explore another field of work. This may serve as an explanation why only a small number of identified portraits exist in private collections today.

Robert Friend was a skilled artist who had certain unique techniques. Of particular note is his use of silver pencil to create light in sitters’ hair and clothing. He is also one of the few painters who was able to show the ‘diagonal binding’ of male pigtail wigs, which were very popular at the time. Friend’s works typically consist of rectangular pieces of card, painted with Indian ink. His portraits are characterised by precision and close attention to clothing detail, with the paint thinned in places to bring out transparency and highlighted with silver pencil and Chinese white. The overall effect is very appealing, and Friend was obviously a highly skilled artist. His work is sought after today.

Gallery Silhouettes