James George Barlace
James George Barlace (13 June 1803 - 1 May 1824) was a child prodigy who was both an author and artist.
Family
The sixth born of seven children, James George Barlace was also known as 'Jas'.[1] His parents were Alexander Barlace and Elizabeth Barlace (née Leffler). His father is listed in the 1825 Pigot's Directory as being a "Picture Dealer (& books)". In the 1841 census his father is listed as a bookseller. James George Barlace was the younger brother of Elizabeth (28 March 1793), Sarah (6 May 1796 - 1798), Catherine (3 November 1798), Sophia (9 September 1800) and Mary Ann (20 April 1801). He was the elder brother to Alexander William Barlace (17 December 1809 - 1842). He was baptised on 22 August 1803 at St Martin in the Fields, Westminster.
Tragically, his right arm was amputated in 1817 at the age of fourteen.[2]
Life and Work
Although he died just before his 21st birthday, Barlace achieved a considerable amount during his short life. In 1817 he was a recipient of the silver Mercury and Minerva Medal from the Society of Arts for a left-handed portrait drawing.[3] He is also listed as being a student at the Royal Society of Arts.[4]
In 1819 and at the age of 16 he published his one and only book, An Historical Sketch of The Progress of Knowledge in England, from the Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, to the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth[5]. This book contains the only known drawing of him.
Artistic Legacy
His name as an artist is absent from the Getty Provenance Index, however, a search of the Index shows "Alexander Barlace" presented the following five paintings at auction on 24 March 1829:
- Samuel De Wilde, "A Medley of Heads, containing upwards of fifty-one curious pieces by that celebrated Theatrical Portrait Painter, in gilt frame"
- William Dobson, "Portrait of himself, very fine, in a broad gilt frame, feet by"
- Jusepe de Ribera, "St. Gregory the Great, in his Pontifical Robes, with the Dove, in a handsome gilt frame, feet by one of the finest specimens of that rare and esteemed Master."
- Peter Paul Rubens and Abraham van Diepenbeeck, "The Feast of Herod, feet by in a broad gilt frame, with the Engraving from it by Vischer, framed and glazed. In this picture are introduced the Portraits of Rubens as Herod, and his two Wives at the Queen and Heodias, with the Por-trait of the Painter's son playing with a monkey"
- Alessandro Turchi, "Susanna and the Elders, a most curious picture, in a gilt frame"
All paintings were sold apart from the Rubens. It is unlikely that these paintings were originals. It is possible that they are by James George Barlace and sold by a family member as his obituary in The Gentleman's Magazine states that he "left some few paintings" upon his death in Holborn, 1824.[6]
References
- ↑ "The Gentleman's Magazine". Volume 94; Part 1 Volume 135. 1824: 642-643.
- ↑ Barlace, James George (1819). An Historical Sketch of the Progress of Knowledge in England, from the Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, to the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Search this book on
- ↑ "Back Matter". Transactions of the Society, Instituted at London, for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. RSA The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce. 35: 39. 1817. JSTOR 41325569.
- ↑ "Royal Society of Arts Archive". rsa-dryad.maxarchiveservices.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ↑ Barlace, James George (1819). An Historical Sketch of the Progress of Knowledge in England, from the Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, to the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Search this book on
- ↑ "The Gentleman's Magazine". Volume 94; Part 1 Volume 135. 1824: 642-643.
James George Barlace
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