This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
BEFFIN, Sarah (1784 – 1850). THREE PORTRAITS OF ARMLESS ARTIST SARAH BEFFIN. London: Darton and Clarke, ca. 1820 [et al]. A triptych of three consecutive states of the well-known lithographed portrait of Biffen, the limb-deficient British artist, being a half-length front facing pose bedecked in a robe and fancy hat with feather adornment. The largest (sight) 12 x 8 ½”. Framed and matted to an overall size of 19 x 34 ½”. See Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women, pp. 66-67. Not examined out of frame. “Born without hands, feet, or legs, Miss Beffin supported herself by her artistic talent. She painted landscapes, portraits, and miniatures, some done on fine china. … [This display is of] three states (proof with pencil corrections, proof without letters, and final copy) of a lithograph by R.J. Stothard, taken from the original gouache self-portrait done by Miss Beffin … It is interesting that the states are progressively less flattering but more realistic. One imagines Miss Beffin requesting a more honest interpretation.” (Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women, pp. 64 - 67.)