Giles, P.

Gender:
Male
Date and place of birth:
Unknown
Date and place of death:
Unknown
Worked:
(fl) c 1812-15
Known places of work:
Unknown
Known techniques:
Painted on card
Known materials:
Indian ink
Frames:
Papier-mache
Signature:
Recorded

Introduction:

P Giles is the artist of a bust-length silhouette of an army officer, probably a lieutenant, which appears to have been painted c 1812-15.

Nothing is known of P Giles’ life or career. The silhouette can be dated through the sitter’s hairstyle, which is high over the forehead in the ‘à la Titus’ style fashionable c 1812-1815. The sitter was probably a lieutenant, as especially fine shading is shown on the epaulette on the right shoulder. The silhouette is signed “P. Giles” in pencil and framed in papier-mache.

Giles appears to have been of average ability for the time. The silhouette is smoothly painted in Indian ink. Detail of the uniform is added in fine strokes of thinned black water-colour, and the high black stock is shown in solid colour. Hair and face are in solid black and the head is exceptionally large: about one and a half times the typical size. There is no bust-line termination.

Additional research about P. Giles:

Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)

Giles, P. (McKechnie Section 2)