Bryan, John (McKechnie Section 4)

This artist, whose silhouette work has not previously been recorded, was identical with an artist recorded by Graves (The Society of Artists of Great Britain) and by Foskett. Graves lists seven `sea pieces', exhibited at the Royal Academy and at the Society of Artists 1786-91. The exhibits at the Society of Artists are described as follows:

1790 No. 45 Shipping (as an Honorary Exhibitor)

1791 No. 32 Portrait of a child: miniature

No. 33 View of Cutter in a Fresh Gale

These exhibits were sent in from Union Place, Lambeth, London. Foskett states that the miniaturist, John Bryan, was living at Stations' Court, Ludgate Street, London, in 1795, which enables us to identify the artist with 'Mr Bryan' of 34 Stationer's Court, Ludgate Street, the address on a printed trade label on two plaster silhouettes owned by Mr and Mrs J. Redpath. This must be the John Bryan recorded by Graves, who lists no other artists of this name. The collection of early press cuttings in the library of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (vol. III, p. 724) contains an announcement which was probably issued by this artist: `MR. BRYAN respectfully informs the Nobility and Gentry, that, at the particular desire of several distinguished Connoisseurs, he has been induced to continue the Exhibition of the select Pictures from the superb Collections of M. de Calonne, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and others, at his Gallery, in Saville-row, until Saturday, the 20th. June, when it will finally close; and on Monday the 22nd, the Pictures will be ready to be delivered to the respective Purchasers. Saville-row, June 11, 1795.'

The two silhouettes mentioned above are the only surviving examples by this artist which are known to me. Both sitters are women. The silhouettes are not painted in plain black, for the details of cap, hair and clothing are well shown in transparency. A singular feature (unusual among artists who worked on plaster) is the use of the needle to show the lines of dress and cap. The bust-line is the common convexity/concavity type, the truncation of the arm at the back of the silhouette showing a blunt peak.

Each silhouette is in a pearwood frame, with a verre églomisé surround consisting of a plain gold band edged with thin black lines. The size of each silhouette is 31/2 x 21/2 in.

Each silhouette bears a trade label which, though dark with age, is legible. It reads:

MR. BRYAN

Miniature painter

34, Stationer's Court,

Ludgate Street,

Also Profile Shades taken in a new and Approved Style.

Hours of attendance 10-4 every day.

Ill. 1251