Sarah Biffin, later Mrs Wright

Sarah Biffin's history is a remarkable one. Born in Somerset without arms or legs, 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. At the age of 40 she had an unsuccessful marriage to Mr Wright but Sarah continued to paint and exhibit until her health declined. In her later years she was awarded a civil pension by Queen Victoria. Sarah died October 2, 1850 and was buried at St James’s Cemetery, Liverpool.

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