Without hands: the art of Sarah Biffin

Abstract

"Accompanying an exhibition at Philip Mould & Company, Without Hands presents the art of Sarah Biffin. Biffin (1784-1850) was born with phocomelia, a condition described on her baptism record as “born without arms and legs.” After learning to sew and write as a child, Biffin joined a traveling sideshow where she painted in front of an audience. Eventually, she rose to fame as a talented miniaturist, signing many of her works “without hands.” Despite her prolific output, including commissions from royalty and exquisitely detailed self-portraits, Biffin's work has been overlooked by art historians. Beautifully illustrated and including original research, Without Hands celebrates Biffin as an artist who challenged contemporary attitudes to disability." -- Provided by publisher.

Contents

Introduction / Alison Lapper -- Foreword / Philip Mould -- Timeline / Ellie Smith -- Sarah Biffin: biography / Ellie Smith -- Sarah Biffin: Evolution of an artist / Emma Rutherford -- Sarah Biffin: In context / Essaka Joshua -- Stubborn industry: The determined lives of Sarah Rogers and Martha Ann Honeywell / Elle Shushan -- Self-portraits / Ellie Smith -- Catalogue / Emma Rutherford and Ellie Smith.