Risso (McKechnie Section 2)

Recorded by Jackson (Dictionary), Risso was an Italian silhouette artist who visited towns in the north of England during the late 1770s. Jackson records two known advertisements by him, but mentions that she had seen no example of his work. Nor, apparently, have any examples come to light. Since, however, Risso mentions in the second advertisement in the Newcastle Chronicle that he is prepared to ‘decorate’ his sitters’ hair-styles on his profiles in any style they choose, we can presume that his work was painted, for, at this early date, it was not customary to decorate cut work.

Jackson quotes the following excerpt from the first advertisement (the Leeds Mercury, 26 November 1776), which she had taken from the notes of F. and G. B. Buckley (Victoria and Albert Museum typescript collection). ‘SIGNIOR RISSO, from Italy, begs leave to inform the Nobility, Gentry and others, that he is just arrived in this town, and will take Striking Likenesses, Profiles in Miniature, and that every-one may be able to indulge themselves with their own or Friends’ Likenesses, he will take them off at half a crown each, and at 5s. framed and glassed. Time of sitting, only three minutes. His lodgings are at Mr. Hicks in Briggate. His stay will be but a few days.’

Though Risso may have stayed in England during 1777, there is no record of any advertisement published by him in that year. It is his second advertisement (the Newcastle Chronicle, 18 July 1778) which makes it clear that he was a travelling artist, having visited Leeds and Newcastle and announcing (in the last line) that he will be ‘at Sunderland after the races’. An Excerpt from this advertisement follows.

SIGNIOR RISSO

from ITALY

Who hath taken Profile Likenesses, in Miniature in most of the Towns in England.

BEGS Leave to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and Others, That he will stay a few Days only, to take the most accurate Profile Likenesses in Miniature. He will take them off at Half a Crown each : framed and glazed Five Shillings. Time of Sitting only three Minutes.

He flatters himself that he shall experience a degree of Taste and Spirit in the inhabitants of this Town, equal, if not superior, to any other he has practised in. The Similitude, Taste, and elegance with which these Profiles are executed, so widely differ from any Thing of the kind hitherto attempted, that he requires no Pay unless the Likeness is perfectly striking. Such Ladies or Gentlemen who have Shadows by them of their living or deceased Friends, may have them epitomized in whatever Size they choose, and the Likeness taken in a most striking Manner. If Ladies or Gentlemen are desirous, he will attend at their own Houses. Mr. Risso may be spoken with at Mr. James Richardson’s, Smith, in Claypeth, where Specimens of his Abilities may be seen.

Ladies and Gentlemen need not have their Heads dressed for sitting, as they may be convinced, from the specimens, that Mr Risso can decorate them in whatever Taste or Manner they shall chuse [sic] without giving themselves that Trouble.

He will be at Sunderland after the Races.

Since the advertisement only mentions one price, Risso presumably painted bust-length profiles. The wording also suggests that he painted them with some detail, including details of clothing.