A Learned Gentleman

A full-length silhouette with gilding of a gentleman – possibly a preacher or a teacher – wearing an academic gown and bands and holding a book.

The cut silhouette has been over-painted in shades of grey watercolour and Chinese white with cream watercolour used for the collar and bronzing in the hair. The watercolour base of concentric circles and S-shapes is a recurrent feature used by Merryweather.

The silhouette has the artist’s stencil stamp – Merryweather Profilist – on the reverse. It resides in a period walnut frame.

‘Signed’ examples of Merryweather’s work are few and far between and no clue has as yet been uncovered as to where he (or indeed she) worked.