Hine, H. J. C. (McKechnie Section 2)

Known from the discovery by Mr T. E. F. Sainsbury of seven silhouettes of men. Each bore a number and year, printed and stuck to the card bearing the profile: the number (above the profile) appeared to indicate that the piece was one in a series of portraits; the year referred to the date of the profile. The profiles are signed with varying inscriptions. They were housed in an assortment of frames, and showed signs (on the backs) of having been stuck down at some time, possibly in an album. They may have been a record of the members of a Masonic Lodge, or another men's society of some kind. Hine might have been either a talented amateur who painted and tabulated profiles of his friends, or a professional who was employed by some organization to take silhouettes of its members.

The examples are painted on card. The high collar and/or stock of the period is left white, with some shading to denote the folds. In every case, the bust-line consists of an almost straight line, and each example is finished by a pool of shading (either in water-colour wash or pencil) on which the signature is placed. Any unsigned silhouettes (of men or women) might be recognized by this singular shading.

One example of Hine's signature is illustrated.

Ills. 842-844