Gerhard, Matthias Christoph (McKechnie Section 2)

Recorded by Foskett, who mentions a miniature (1795), noted by Long, which bore on the back a printed card reading, 'Gerhard, miniature and profile painter, 7, Frankfort St: Plymouth'. Foskett suggests that the artist was Matthias Christoph Gerhard, who was working in Strasburg c. 1756-92 and, in 1792, advertised there a course in drawing and painting.

Gerhard placed the following advertisement in the Royal Cornwall Gazette (22 March 1806):

MINIATURE PAINTING

MR GERHARD, No. 7, Frankfort-

street, Plymouth, successor to Mr. Daniel

deceased, begs permission to inform the Ladies

and Gentlemen of Cornwall and Devon, that he takes

LIKENESSES in MINIATURE in a superior stile

of accuracy and elegance.

Plymouth, 15th. March, 1806

'Daniel' was Abraham Daniel, recorded by Foskett as having died in Plymouth on 11 March 1806. Gerhard was not tardy in offering his services in place of Daniel's.

I have seen no work by Gerhard, but since he worked as a miniature painter and advertised drawing lessons, his profiles would presumably be painted, and of good quality