Silhouettes of the children of 4th Viscount and Viscountess Bolingbroke, 1830's

Framed silhouettes of the children of the 4th Viscount and Viscountess Bolingbroke, cut by Mr Gapp of Chain Pier in Brighton.

The silhouettes show the couples four eldest children (Right to Left) Maria Louisa (b. 1813), Anne Jane Charlotte (b. 1814), Isabella Letitia (b. 1816), Emily Arabella Jane (b. 1817) and son Henry St.John (b. 1820) later 5th Viscount Bolingbroke. Their youngest son, Spencer St.John (b.1822), was perhaps to young to stay still!

The likenesses were cut by the 'profile artist' Mr John Gapp who was working in the Third Tower of Brighton's Chain Pier between 1823 and 1839.

One assumes that the St.Johns were holidaying in the popular seaside resort. At the time family fortunes were in decline, photography not yet invented and silhouettes cut from black paper were the cheapest way of recording a persons likeness as well as being a bit of fun.

Mr Gapp specialised in full length portraits which he cut with scissors and pasted on light coloured card, often painting a base behind the figures fee to give the impression they were standing on the ground.

The Lydiard silhouettes were mounted together and framed in a period picture frame for display purposes.