B. W. Gilbert Profile

Burton Wright Gilbert was a travelling artist who offered profiles, shades and lessons in Oriental Painting and Mezzotinto Pencilling. In his newspaper adverts he claimed to be able to teach 12-year-old children and adults ‘who have not the least idea of drawing’ in just six easy lessons.

Born in Peterborough, Gilbert was active during the 1830s and 1840s touring England and Ireland and was sometimes accompanied by his wife who also taught drawing. The dark-haired gentleman in this watercolour portrait is shown in profile with a distinctive bust-line termination and is signed ‘B. W. Gilbert Delin.’. It is set in what appears to be the original papier-mâché frame with an unusual brass bird hanger.