Pearce, Benjamin

Introduction:

Like many mid C19th silhouettists, Dover - born  BENJAMIN PEARCE (ca.1831-1908) made a transition to the relatively new art of Photography. However, unlike others, he also continued to cut and embellish likenesses into the early years of the C20th. Erroneously described by commentators as Benjamin Pearce 'the Younger', current research has established Benjamin Pearce 'the Elder' never existed and that the profilist and photographer was in fact the 2nd son of artist James Pearce (1800-1843).

Virtually nothing is recorded of James Pearce's 'artistry'. Housed in the National Portrait Gallery collection and annotated in pencil is an uninspring cut-work profile of the 'Duke of Wellington from life by Benjamin Pearce (of St. Leonards) Father' and is one of very few works attributed to him. This may be because, certainly in the 1820's, James Pearce's source of income came, like his father's before him, from shoemaking ( see James Pearce biography - Artists Index).

Fathering 6 boys between 1825 -1842 before dying, aged 42, in London in May 1843, it appears from the 1851 Census that James Pearce's artistry, such as it was, influenced his 3 eldest sons. James Jnr (1825 - after 1851) is listed a 'Profile Painter' at a 'Vagrants Hotel' in Brixham, Devon; Benjamin, lodging at the abode of a groom in Sleaford, Lincs. was a 'Photographer' and Profilist; Alfred (1836 - after 1881) 'Artist' , was located living in London with their mother Elizabeth (1801 - after 1851) and Grandfather, 86 year old retired cordwainer, George Pearce. However by 1861 Alfred had become a 'Labourer' and James Jnr had disappeared from definitive records.

While the standard of his sibling's profiles is unknown, cut-work by Benjamin Pearce is consistently neatly executed. Bust-sized, half and full-length works are recorded, as are profiles of dogs and horses. Bronze highlighting is generally well applied. Extant silhouettes are relatively rare, most appearing cut in the last quarter of the C19th. ' Stock' profiles of Royalty and Politicians are recorded and, illustrated in Mckechnie, is a fine ca.1850 signed profile of Queen Victoria set on lavishly embossed card.

Works can be signed 'Pearce', sometimes with placename and date. Occasionally recorded as ' Benjamin Edward, Benjamin Maitland or 'Benjamin Maitland Edward Pearce', whether he 'adopted' or was given the additional names is unknown, as no baptismal record has surfaced.

First recorded in the 1841 Census as a 10-year-old living with his parents and siblings in Lawrence Pountney Lane in the City of London, by 1851 he was on the road in Lincolnshire offering Daguerrotypes and Profiles in the BOSTON and STAMFORD HERALD 27th May 1851.

Spring 1853 saw Pearce employed by London tobacconist and snuff maker Alfred Marcus Scriven (1821-1899) as his in-house photographer when Scriven opened a studio under his own name in Newgate St. However, by September that year Pearce had arrived in Inverness as an ' Artist and Professor of Photography from London...'. Five months later in the ABERDEEN HERALD 25th February 1854 he was offering ' LIKENESSES FOR THE MILLION...warranted correct. Profiles from 3 pence each : BRONZED IN GOLD 9 pence. Daguerrotype Portraits taken in the First Style of The Art...within the reach of every person - Namely from 3 shillings 6 pence'.

Between December 1854 and January 1855 his Portrait Gallery was recorded by the CUMBERLAND PACKET  in Whitehaven. Some time thereafter he removed to the coastal resort of Torquay where, apart from appearing in 1870 Brighton directories as 'Benjamin Maitland Pearce, Photographer', he remained for over 20 years. In the TORQUAY CHRONICLE in January and April 1862, ' Pearce's Photographic Gallery' offered ' ...portraits unsurpassed by any taken in the West of England ' and the 'Best photographic light in Torquay'.

On 15th September 1868 Pearce wed Torquay-born, twice widowed, Anna Morrell née Windeatt (1836-1906). The marriage Register records Pearce's father as 'James Pearce, Artist' which conclusively proves the non-existence of his supposed kin Benjamin Pearce 'the Elder'.

Two daughters, Lucy Heath (1871-1949) and Kate Elizabeth (1873-1965) were born in Torquay. However, as evidenced by a BOURNEMOUTH TIMES  advertisement in December 1889, Pearce had now settled in the popular resort, the 1891 Census recording the entire family as ' Portrait Artists'. Though further  advertising was seemingly abandoned, several Bournemouth silhouettes are known, with one recorded taken at the ' Post Office Arcade' , Old Christchurch Road.

Pearce's final studio, address unknown, was in St. Leonards-on-Sea. Again, a number of 'St. Leonards' silhouettes are recorded. Both of his now adult daughters were baptised there in August 1894 and both married in the town  in 1897 and 1898.

No doubt on vacation, the 1901 Census locates 'Benjamin Pearce -  Artist' and wife Anna as ' Visitors' in a Bournemouth hotel. Though dying in the town in 1906, his wife's body was interred in Hammersmith, London. As both married daughters were living there at the time, it's probable Pearce and his wife's last abode was also in Hammersmith.

Benjamin Pearce's death was registered in Fulham in the 2nd. quarter of 1908.  He was buried, alongside his wife, in the Margravine Cemetery, Hammersmith, London, 8th April 1908.

 

Revised : 25th September 2025 (Brian Wellings)