Houghton and Bruce
Gender:
N/A
Date and place of birth:
N/A
Date and place of death:
N/A
Worked:
fl. 1792 to 1796
Known places of work:
Edinburgh
Known techniques:
Painted on plaster and ivory
Known materials:
Plaster and ivory
Frames:
Pearwood & oval hammered brass
Signature:
Unrecorded
Introduction:
Commentators long assumed Samuel Houghton and pupil George Bruce formed a partnership in Edinburgh in 1792, which lasted till Houghton’s supposed death in 1796. This association is recorded in directories and on rare joint trade labels. However, information gleaned from CALEDONIAN MERCURY newspaper advertisements now requires a reappraisal of the partnership. (See Houghton and Bruce biographies 2021)
In brief, Houghton advertises his arrival “from London” in July 1791, stating himself “long a pupil” of John Miers. In July 1792, the public are informed “the business is now carried on in all its branches by George Bruce for…Mr. Houghton’s family and himself”. Seemingly, Houghton was suffering from some debilitating condition and in March 1793, another advertisement mentions “…the late Mr. Houghton”. Strangely, the reverse of his demise seems indicated in a short series of advertisements, the last of which, in July 1795, states “…Houghton and Bruce…still continue to take profile likenesses”.
Recorded in 1793-97 Edinburgh directories and on a rare joint trade label, it was likely decided by Bruce and Houghton's widow that the celebrity of Houghton's name would continue to draw custom.
Whether Houghton's death caused a decline in business isn't known, but works bearing the joint trade label are extremely rare and, perhaps tellingly, in 1794 the partnership moved from Houghton's rooms on the fashionable promenade of South Bridge Street to the head of Anchor Close, High Street, in the bustle of Edinburgh's Old Town.
In summary, any profile thought to be by Houghton bearing a joint trade label, must now be regarded as either a Houghton duplicate, or by Bruce copying Houghton’s style, which, judging by his early output, he was capable of producing. Bolstering this supposition, Bruce states in a June 1804 advertisement that he “…retained all his original sketches, also those of his predecessor, Mr. Houghton, so those…who have sat to each may have…copies”.
The curious partnership ended in January 1797, when Bruce wed Houghton’s widow and began trading under his own name.
Revised 4 April 2022 (Brian Wellings)
Additional research about Houghton and Bruce:
Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)
Houghton and Bruce (McKechnie Section 4)Houghton and Bruce (McKechnie Section 5)