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Artwork Description

Scottish miniaturist Charles Shirreff was one of the more talented and distinct of the many miniaturists active at the end of the 18th century. Shirreff, who became deaf at the age of three or four, studied at Thomas Braidwood’s Academy for the Deaf and Dumb, the first dedicated school for the deaf to be founded in Britain. At the age of 18, Shirreff moved to London to study at the Royal Academy Schools, graduating in 1772 with a silver medal. He quickly established himself as a miniaturist, while also exhibiting oil paintings, pastels and drawings at the Royal Academy, the Free Society of Artists and the British Institute. Through his friendship with the Scottish merchant, diplomat and political satirist, Caleb Whitefoord, Shirreff made several advantageous acquaintances, including the president of the Royal Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds and the leading miniaturist, Richard Cosway. These connections doubtless aided Shirreff in building a clientele that included the celebrated actress Sarah Siddons and her brother, the actor Charles Kemble. Shirreff was reportedly very fond of the theatre and some of his most successful miniatures show an actor or actress mis-en-scène. In 1795, after several years working in Bath, Shirreff achieved a long-held ambition to go to India as an artist. He worked first in Madras (now Chennai) and later Calcutta (now Kolkata) before returning to London in 1809. While in India he purportedly developed a form of sign language he called his ‘finger alphabet’, but no example is known to survive. This portrait of young Richard Chase was probably painted when Shirreff was working in Madras in around 1800. The miniature is painted in very fine, neat hatching and line work characteristic of the artist. Shirreff made no effort to flatter his sitters but has evidently taken delight in mirroring the loose curls of hair and frills of the collar in the swirls of cloud behind. He has used a strong, warm-coloured palette, seen in the boy’s pale orange tunic, golden hair and the stormy sky background. The sitter’s slightly prominent eyes are reminiscent of the work of another miniaturist, John Smart, who also practiced in Madras, and it is plausible that Shirreff was influenced by the work of his illustrious predecessor.

Artist Biography

early life and education

charles shirreff, a deaf scottish painter, specializing in portrait miniatures, was born in either 1749 or 1750. his father, alexander shirreff, was a wealthy wine merchant of south leith in edinburgh. at the age of three or four, shirreff became deaf and mute. in 1760, his father approached thomas braidwood, owner of a school of mathematics in edinburgh, seeking an education for the boy, then ten years old, in the hope that he could be taught to write.

career highlights

* at the age of 18, in august 1769, shirreff left braidwood's academy to study art in london at the royal academy schools. he graduated in 1772 with a silver medal, and took up a career as a miniaturist. * notable associations with artists include sir joshua reynolds, george dance the younger, and richard cosway. * shirreff successfully exhibited oil paintings, pastels, and pencil drawings at the royal academy of arts in 1771, and at the free society of artists from 1770 until 1773.

notable works and associations

portrait miniatures: shirreff's specialty, which showcased his exceptional skill in capturing the essence of his subjects.
association with the national trust for scotland montrose, a significant cultural institution in scotland, where some of shirreff's works are showcased.
exhibitions at la galleria nazionale di moderne arti scozzesi nel regno unito, a prominent art gallery in scotland.

legacy and later life

* charles shirreff applied to go to india in 1778, stating in his application to the east india company that he had no speech but was able to make himself understood by signs. * he returned from india in 1808 or 1809 and continued working in london until his death in 1829.

view similar artists on BuyPopArt: sir david wilkie
read more about charles shirreff on wikipedia: charles shirreff (painter)

explore charles shirreff's artworks on BuyPopArt

charles shirreff

1829 , United Kingdom

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Portrait miniatures
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Sir Joshua Reynolds
- George Dance Jr.
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Thomas Braidwood']
Date Of Birth: 1749 or 1750
Date Of Death: 1829
Full Name: Charles Shirreff
Nationality: Scottish
Notable Artworks:
- Various portrait miniatures
- Pastel drawings
Place Of Birth: Edinburgh, UK

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Richard Chase

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