Hill, I. or J. (McKechnie Section 2)

See also Section Seven

Recorded by Mayne. It is apparent from his stencilled Trade Label No. 1 (on the reverse of the silhouette by him that I have illustrated) that I. (or, possibly, J.) Hill worked from an address in Oxford Street, London. (The street number has been cut off).

A similar profile is known (see Section Seven) which bears another trade lable (No. 2; also stencilled) of a 'Mr Hill' at 398 Oxford Street (very likely the same address as is given on No. 1).

1614

Both these silhouettes appear to have been painted c. 1805-1808. Hill may possibly have been the miniaturist, J. Hill, recorded by Long, who was working in the latter capacity well before 1800. Foskett also includes an entry on the miniaturist, who exhibited four miniatures on ivory at the Society of Artists in 1775 (No. 389; no address given), sent in two to the Royal Academy in 1777, and four in 1779. In 1786, he exhibited two miniatures, of a mother and daughter, at the Royal Academy, and in 1787 sent in three from an address in Camomile Street, Bishopsgate. A miniature by him of a Flemish countrywoman was exhibited in 1791.

The late Lord Hothfield owned a portrait miniature by Hill of Sir Peter Burrell, Bart. This was signed and dated 1787 (see G. C. Williamson, Collection of Miniatures belonging to the late Lord Hothfield). If J . Hill, the miniaturist, was also the profilist, it is possible that he painted his profiles in old age.

The illustrated silhouette is of a boy, taken shortly after 1800, and painted apparently in black water-colour, without the use of gum arabic. The boy is old enough to be wearing a man's coat of the period, as well as a waist-coat, but he is still wearing the shirt with the high circular frill round the neck which was worn by boys before they were old enough to wear entirely adult dress. The white frill is left clear of black paint, and the lines are shown by a not particularly fine brush. There is a light wash on the collar of the waistcoat, suggesting a different colour from that of the coat. The frill and cravat are roughly drawn.

Ills. 839-841