Merryweather, Edward

Introduction:

Few works by EDWARD MERRYWEATHER (ca. 1775-1851) are known. All, bust-size or full-length, are cut-work skilfully embellished with gold. It's worth noting Merryweather took up the art at the somewhat advanced age of 70, due, as seen below, to a reversal in his financial circumstances.

The rear of his works is often found with a stencil stamped "Merryweather Profilist" or inscribed "cut by Merryweather Profilist". Two works, illustrated in McKechnie, give an indication of Merryweather's abilities. Bust-size works are generally housed in frames of reeded ebonised wood.

Born ca.1785 in an area of Doncaster known as Red House, Edward Merryweather was married in May 1811 to London-born Catharine Miles (1792-1867) in the nearby town of Conisbrough. Their first two children, Emma (1814-1839) and George Edward (1817-N/K), were born in Doncaster.

Initially a builder, Merryweather must have prospered, as by the 1820s, his industry seemingly generated enough capital to begin a new career in Manchester, as an art dealer.

From the few extant records recently sourced, he appears to have moved to Cheetham Hill, 2 1/2 miles north of Manchester city centre. Living there until the early 1840s, his third and last child, Julia, was born there in March 1826. His gallery was situated in Wright's Court, which opened onto Manchester's busy Market Street.

Described in BAINS directory of 1824 as a "Dealer in oil paintings", in the MANCHESTER COURIER 27th September 1828, he advertised "genuine and capital pictures by the very first Masters", mentioning among others, Van Dyck, Salvator Rosa and Rysback. It has to be said that the demands of newly monied buyers often outstripped picture dealers' stock of genuine masterworks, and fakes were commonplace. However, in July 1827, Merryweather purchased in auction a 'modern' artwork, "Intruding Puppies" by Edwin Landseer for £20,000 (in 2021 terms) before selling it on to a Yorkshire collector.

Merryweather's art dealing continued into the 1840s. The 1841 Census still listed him a "Picture Merchant" and Cheetham Hill was still his abode, where he lived with wife Catharine and 15-year-old daughter Julia. Later the same year, financial 'issues' caused him to place 3 of his properties in auction. Likely his business closed too, as at some point in the next 3 years he moved with his family back to Doncaster. It was not enough to stave off bankruptcy, and several newspapers including the LEEDS INTELLIGENCER 15th June 1844, recorded his imprisonment in York Castle.

After serving 4 months, Merryweather was conditionally discharged. These events propelled him into his final career as a profilist. Given that the 1851 Census records him as an "Artist" of Cleveland Street, Doncaster, aged 76, it's noteworthy that he began pursuing this career at the advanced age of 70.

He died shortly after the census was taken and was buried at St. Georges, Doncaster on the 12th of May 1851.

Revised 30 November 2022 (Brian Wellings)