Sarah Biffin, later Mrs Wright

Captain N. M Pryus[?], Plymouth;

Private Collection, Ireland 

E. Rutherford and E. Smith, Without Hands the Art of Sarah Biffin, London 2022, p. 91, no. 16 

This watercolour was drawn on the 5 November 1811 when Miss Biffin was twenty-seven years old. It forms part of a small but much celebrated group of feather studies that she made between 1811 and 1812 while travelling England in the employ of John ‘Emmanuel’ Dukes. Another example from this group was sold in these rooms (7 July 2021, lot 11 (£64,550).¹

Sarah Biffin led an extraordinary life. She was born in East Quantoxhead in rural Somerset without hands, arms or feet and she learnt to paint holding the brush between her teeth. The subtle depiction of these brightly coloured feathers - where their dainty weight seems perfectly judged and their unique texture is totally apparent, more than displays her exceptional and precocious talent. Biffin would go on to achieve great fame, patronised by the aristocracy and the British Royal family.  

For further information on her life please see lot 29.

1. For other feather studies by Miss Biffin see: E. Rutherford et al, Without Hands, The Art of Sarah Biffin, London 2022, pp. 90-91, nos 15 & 17