Lloyd, George Azariah

Introduction:

Known for competent bust-sized cut-work, GEORGE AZARIAH LLOYD (1821-1900) pursued a mostly itinerant career between the mid-1840s and 1880s. Like many mid-century profilists confronted by a notable downturn in demand due to photographs becoming accessible to mass-market pockets, Lloyd, by the late 1860s, also turned to photography.

Several profiles from the 1860s, recorded by McKechnie, were cut from glossy black paper with Chinese white highlights. Brownish brushwork outside the cut paper indicated hair or hat decoration. Neville Jackson's Dictionary of Silhouette records bronze highlighted work, though erroneously lists him as A.E. LLOYD. McKechnie recorded that sitters' heads were cut individually, then glued to their bodies on card. This approach is uncommon. Whether it was a consistent feature is impossible to gauge, as too few of his profiles are recorded.

Known works include bust-sized and half-length profiles. Bust-line terminations vary considerably; some illustrated in McKechnie evidence a shallow concave line and distinctive rounded 'tongue' dipping almost to the waistline. Some terminations are almost horizontal, while others dip diagonally to a sharp point.

Initially at least, it appears that Lloyd also painted works on card. Sold at Sotheby's (London) in February 1966, McKechnie recorded a plain black profile painted on card bearing the printed trade label of "A. LLOYD, PROFILE PAINTER, BRISTOL". As George Azariah Lloyd 'Artist' married in Bristol in 1848 and is recorded a 'Travelling Artist' when 2 daughters were born there in 1850 and 1853, it appears virtually certain he was "A. Lloyd", the Bristol profilist.

No advertisements for G.A. Lloyd from the 1840s or the 1850s have surfaced. However, his printed Brighton trade label of ca.1863, apart from profiles, offered to clean, retouch or repair oil paintings and mount and varnish engravings. This additional line of work may also have supplemented his income at an earlier date.

One of at least 11 siblings, G.A. Lloyd was born in London in March 1821 to Mary Ann, née Hebbard (1793-1851) and Shropshire-born carpenter James Lloyd (1791-1851).

G.A. Lloyd is next located in September 1846, fathering a namesake son in Coventry. Likely the mother was Elizabeth Clark (1827-1878), daughter of a Coventry watchmaker. Married in Clevedon, Bristol 3 years later, the register records both parties as 'Artists'. A further 8 children were born in various towns between 1849-1871, while the 1851 and 1861 Census lists the growing family in Plymouth and London respectively.

Between 1864-1871, their last 3 offspring were born in Brighton. Lloyd's trade label and the 1871 Census record their Brighton abode as 10 Bedford Buildings, Bedford Street. Brighton directories record Lloyd a "Photographic Artist" on the town's Chain Pier in 1868-1869, while the LITTLEHAMPTON NEWS of the 7th of August 1869 advertises him in the town as a "Photographic Artist and Profilist"

The 1871 Census records Lloyd a 'Photographer', his wife Elizabeth a 'Charwoman' and 15-yeat-old daughter Emily a 'Photographer's Assistant'. February 1873 sees Lloyd applying to the Brighton Watch Committee for a stand on the seafront "...where he may earn a livelihood by cutting profiles". The request was refused.

In March 1878, Lloyd's wife died from 'tubercular meningitis' in Brighton's Workhouse Infirmary. His loss probably caused Lloyd to relocate to London, where the 1881 Census of Lambeth records him a 60-year-old 'Artist in Portraits' living with one of his brothers, a maker of 'Gas Lamp Shades'.

On Christmas Eve 1884, aged 64, G.A. Lloyd, widower and 'Portrait Painter', married widow Ann Newton (dates N/K) at Hoxton, Middlesex. Absent from the 1891 Census records, at some point, presumably with his wife, Lloyd returned to Brighton, where early in 1900 he was admitted to the town's Workhouse Infirmary.

Aged 79, George Azariah Lloyd died of 'bronchitis and bladder cancer' at Brighton's Workhouse Infirmary on the 11th of February 1900.

Revised 4 September 2023 (Brian Wellings)