Sarah Biffin

Sarah Biffin's history is a remarkable one. Born in Somerset without hands, arms or feet, she taught herself to paint holding the brush between her teeth. In circa 1797 a travelling showman, named Emmanuel Dukes, persuaded her parents to allow her to tour the country with him – exhibiting her talents (and disability) – for a salary of £5 a year. In 1808 she came to the attention of William, 16^th Earl of Morton, who organized for her to receive lessons in London from the Royal Academician William Craig (d. 1827).

Setting up a studio on Bond Street, she soon became very fashionable, in high demand from the aristocracy and receiving the patronage of the Royal family. In later years she was awarded a civil pension by Queen Victoria and retired to marry in Liverpool.

Throughout her life Miss Biffin painted self-portraits, the earliest dating to 1812 (Wellcome Collection, London). The present portrait can be dated to the early 1840s, after her relocation to Liverpool. The watercolour has remained in the same British private collection for nearly 50 years.