Mitchell, J. S. (McKechnie Section 1)

See also Section Six

Recorded by Jackson (Dictionary). Trade labels with addresses in Bath and Bristol are known. I can find no evidence from Bath guides or directories that Mitchell ever resided in the city. One can only assume that he was an itinerant artist, whose work we only know of from his trade labels. From these we gather that Mitchell worked in Bath c. 1817-20, and also in Bristol. He appears to have cut profiles from dark reddish-brown paper, with detail painted in gold. The original frames would probably have been of papier mâché.

Trade Label No. 1, used in Bath c. 1817-20, reads as follows:

BATH

Mr. J. S. MITCHELL

Profilist

17, Union Street

Executes Likenesses in a superior Style of Elegance in Bronze Tints &c., which contain the most forcible expression of Animation that can possibly be obtained by such mode of representing the Human Countenance.

Trade Label No. 2 was used in Bristol:

J. S. MITCHELL

Profilist

(From UNION-STREET, BATH)

Executes Likenesses in a superior style of Elegance, in Bronze Tints, &c., which convey the most forcible Expression of Animation that can possibly be obtained by such mode of representing the Human Countenance.

As many Ladies and Gentlemen have a great objection to attending the Public Room; for their Accommodation, Mr. M. will wait on them at their own Residences, without additional charge.

[illegible] Printer, St. John's Steps, Bristol.

Ill. 542