Newton, J.
Gender:
Male
Date and place of birth:
N/K
Date and place of death:
N/K
Worked:
(fl) presumed late 1830s
Known places of work:
Dover, Kent
Known techniques:
Painted on ivory and presumed paper and card
Known materials:
Ivory and presumed paper and card
Frames:
Papier-mâché
Signature:
Printed Trade Label
Introduction:
J.NEWTON (N/K) is known solely for a single well-crafted silhouette on ivory, a medium usually reserved for smaller jewellery settings. While recent research revealed Newton's trade-labelled address was located in Dover, no other information regarding his career or personal circumstances has come to light, and consequently even his given name is unknown.
Housed in a papier-mâché frame, the male sitter, from the style of his attire, was painted in the late 1830s. Without a bust-line termination, the silhouette evidences a dark grey base colour with thinned gum arabic detailing, restrained use of light grey to highlight hair, and a high shirt collar painted in Chinese white. McKechnie rightly assesses the work exhibits 'considerable skill'.
The trimmed trade label reads in part "J. NEWTON...takes MINIATURE PROFILES in the neatest Manner, 2s 6d - 5s - and 10s 6d each...Ladies and Gentlemen waited on at their own Houses. N.B. Time of sitting one Minute - No.4. Council House Street opposite London Hotel...[Dover]". Newton's lower price range suggests he also offered works on paper or card. However, without more trade-labelled, signed or dated works coming to light, it remains impossible to unlock Newton's personal or commercial history.
Revised 21 February 2025 (Brian Wellings)