Seville, W. and Son

Introduction:

SEVILLE and SON was a partnership between WILLIAM SEVILLE (1797-1866) and his second son FREDERICK WILLIAM (1825-1899). Both were freehand cutters of merit. Formerly a Salford-based schoolmaster, Seville Snr. was already a widely-travelled profilist of some 20 years' standing before "Seville and Son" was first advertised in FREEMAN'S JOURNAL on the 7th of February 1843 when, on a tour of Ireland, both men arrived in Dublin. However several signed works dated 1841-1842 show 16-year-old Frederick William was already 'on the road' painting in tandem with his father.

As far as known, the last printed evidence of the partnership comes from an 1845 Shrewsbury handbill and an advertisement in the WOLVERHAMPTON CHRONICLE of the 30th of July of the same year.

By the 13th of November 1847, as evidenced by the OXFORD JOURNAL, "Mr. Seville Profilist", likely Seville Snr., was operating alone in Oxford. The advertisement is notable as the sole record of Seville working so far south in England.

The 1845 Shrewsbury handbill advertising the "Extraordinary Talent" that was "Messrs. Seville and Son of Manchester" offered in turn Miniatures on Ivory, Coloured Likenesses and "An Exact Likeness...[bust sized]...for Sixpence".

The buying public were offered a wide selection of possible portraIts. Full-length profiles could be had of: "Infants in...arms; Children at their favourite pursuits; Officers in uniform; Family Groups; Sporting Subjects; Dogs; Horses &c".

Prices ranged from bust-sized 6d plain; 1s 6d bronzed; Full-length from 2-4 shillings; Full-length children 1s 6d plain, or bronzed from 2s 6d to 3 shillings. Miniatures on ivory were 1 guinea and on 'Bristol Board' from 7s 6d to 10 shillings. It's worth noting Seville's prices barely altered between 1820 and 1850, a fact possibly indicative of his success.

Perhaps tellingly neither Seville is listed in Foskett's DICTIONARY OF BRITISH MINIATURE PAINTERS. However, it's feasible any miniature or bust-size works from the 1840s may have been painted or cut by either man.

Though 9 William Seville trade labels are now listed, no "Seville and Son" label has, as far as known, been noted. However, by ca.1840, a "W. SEVILLE - ARTIST" stencil stamp is recorded. Used on the obverse or reverse of works, it is also occasionally found on profiles already signed by "F.W. SEVILLE".

William Seville - Born in 1797 and initially a Salford-based schoolmaster, by 1820, the year he married, Seville began a parallel career as a commercial profilist, taking likenesses at his Academy until December 1823. After that date newspapers plot an extensive itinerant career that encompassed England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Working into the 1850s with demand for silhouettes declining, like other profilists active at the time he had turned by 1855 to photography for a more sustainable income. His final commercial appearance is as a "Photographic Artist" in WHITE'S DERBY DIRECTORY of 1857.

The 1861 Census finds him a 'Retired Artist' aged 66 at the family home of son Frederick William. Though his burial appears unrecorded, his death, registered in the town, occurred between April and June 1866.

Frederick William Seville - Born in 1825, he was the second child of William Seville and Frances née Bethell (1786-1837), daughter of a Chester linen draper. She died in Sheffield in May 1837 of  'water on the chest'. His elder brother and only known sibling, Charles (1822-1878), became a Sheffield 'file-cutter'.

After working with his father until at least 1845, no trace of Frederick William is found until the 1851 Census locates him as an an "Artist" lodging at the home of a stationer in the Devon village of North Tawton.

In 1856, aged 31, he marries Elizabeth Eyland (1827-1862), a "Governess", in Walsall, Staffordshire. Perhaps already residing in Shrewsbury, where he lives until his death, 2 daughters are born there in 1857 and 1862. His wife dies in childbirth.

The 1861 Census records him as a "Photographer and Tobacconist". His father shares his home. In 1866, he marries Jane Motteram (1824-1899), daughter of a 'carrier', in Edgbaston, Warwickshire, and son Frederick William Jnr is born in Shrewsbury in 1868.

1871-1891 Census returns record Frederick William Snr as an "Artist and Photographer" and he appears as an "Artist" in KELLYS DIRECTORY of 1891 and 1895. It's probable his artistry was directed towards well painted watercolour views of Shrewsbury and its surrounding landscape. A sizable number of these works have appeared in various auctions: most date from the 1890s. Whether they were painted commercially is open to conjecture.

Registered in the town, the deaths of both Frederick William Seville and his wife occurred between January and March 1899. No burial records have come to light.

Revised 6 February 2023 (Brian Wellings)

 

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