Artist: Sarah Biffin · 1811The Reverend William Pateshall (1779–1832)
Sarah Biffin was born to a farm labourer in Somerset, in 1784. Biffin was born without hands, arms or feet. Opportunities for young disabled women were very limited at the time, especially in agricultural communities. Recognising this, Sarah taught herself to write, paint and sew using her mouth, cheek and shoulder.
From the age of thirteen, Sarah toured around the UK under contract with the showman Emmanuel Dukes, displaying her creative abilities at county fairs to paying audiences. Over sixteen years of touring, she gained widespread fame, and was described both as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and, more problematically, as a ‘freak and genius.’
In 1808, Biffin was released from her contract with the help of a spectator at one of her shows, George Douglas, Earl of Morton. Douglas recognised her talent and sponsored her training under the miniature painter, William Marshall Craig.
Who is the Sitter?
The back of this portrait is inscribed: ‘This Miniature of the Revd Wm Pateshall was taken by the celebrated Miss Beffin on the 23rd of March 1811 at Oxford; Mr. P. being at that time a Bachelor of Arts’.
Look closely at the left-hand side of the portrait you will notice William has a line of white fur on his shoulder; therefore, this portrait could represent William’s graduation day. He is wearing the traditional University of Oxford Bachelor of Arts black silk half-lined graduation gown with white rabbit-fur hood.
Relationship to Power
Power is a complex and nuanced concept in Sarah Biffin’s life. Although she faced control, exploitation and outside influence throughout her life, she decided to pursue a career as an artist and had great acumen for self-promotion. Her profession as a portrait miniaturist granted her a level of autonomy and recognition that she might never otherwise have experienced for a woman with a physical disability in the nineteenth century.
In 1824, she married William Stephen Wright and used her husband’s name until 1842; they appear to have separated a few years later. Much of Sarah’s work is now unrecorded or credited to other artists. Therefore, it is important that we continue to exhibit and research Biffin’s work and tell her story.
William Marshall Craig: Portrait Miniature Example
William Marshall Craig taught Sarah Biffin. This miniature is an example of his work.