Sandhegan, C. H.

Introduction:

There is some confusion over four different sets of initials associated with the surname Sandhegan; C H Sandhegan who is recorded by Jackson; M Sandhegan, mentioned by Woodiwiss in ‘British Silhouettes’; C R Sandhegan recorded by Mayne and M R Sandhegan. Despite the confusion over initials, it is believed that misreading can explain this and that all initials belong to the same Sandhegan.

Jackson connects Sandhegan with the contemporary Dublin artist W H Holland, as both labelled their work with a Marlborough Street, Dublin address and used the similar wording of ‘a la Marlborough’ on their trade labels. However, no connection can definitively be proved. Three trade labels are identified to Sandhegan. Number One and Number Two are similar in style, though Number Two had no monogram on the top and was on brown paper, with text shown in red. Number Two probably dates from 1791, and offers silhouettes painted on glass priced at six shillings. Number Three is very similar in style though dates to 1792-1796, and offers work at an increased price of seven shillings. Works appear to have typically been framed in gilded wood.

Sandhegan painted his silhouettes on the underside of flat glass, and used silk or plaster slabs to back his works. The transparent quality of his painting style was achieved with the use of brush and thinned pigment, although there is one known example in which he has used a needle to paint a gentleman’s hair. His earlier works show a termination at the bust line. It is thought Sandhegan was possibly influenced by the style of W L Holland, although his earlier style shows similarities with T Ridler.