Pantheon
Gender:
N/K
Date and place of birth:
N/K
Date and place of death:
N/K
Worked:
(fl) 1834- N/K
Known places of work:
Pantheon Bazaar, Oxford Street, London
Known techniques:
Cut-work
Known materials:
Paper and card
Frames:
N/K
Signature:
N/K
Introduction:
As far as known, only two silhouettes are recorded from the PANTHEON BAZAAR in London's Oxford Street. Illustrated in Nevill Jacksons' DICTIONARY (1938) both are of some historical significance, as they are the sole portraits of famed profilist John Field (1772-1848) and his wife Mary nee Harris (1774-1869). As the Bazaar opened 28th May 1834, the Field's silhouettes were cut on or after that date.
Only the profile of John Field is illustrated by McKechnie. The work is cut, appears to be plain black and laid on card. Its reverse is inscribed "Done for John Field at the Pantheon" and McKechnie records the words were written in Field's own hand. Additionally inscribed is "A.Compton, Tavistock Hotel". McKechnie speculated that Compton may have been the Pantheon silhouettist. Either way, no evidence has come to light, and the profilist remains unknown.
Constructed as an Assembly Room in 1772, the Pantheon had a later chequered history as a theatre. The building stood empty between 1824 and May 1834, when complete with papier mâché decorations, conservatory and aviary, it reopened as the Pantheon Bazaar. Newspaper advertisements record a wide variety of items offered from at least 160 rented counters. No advertisements specifically offering silhouettes at the Bazaar have been traced.
Revised 23 October 2022 (Brian Wellings)
Additional research about Pantheon:
Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)
Pantheon (McKechnie Section 1)