Sarah Biffen

Sarah Biffen self portrait

Sarah Biffen (1784 – October 2, 1850), also known as Sarah Biffin or Beffin, was a notable English painter of the 19th century who achieved significant success despite being born with a rare condition known as phocomelia, which left her without arms or legs. Her life and career serve as an inspiring example of overcoming physical limitations to achieve recognition and respect in the competitive field of fine arts.

Early Life

Sarah Biffen was born in 1784 in East Quantoxhead, a small village in Somerset, England. From birth, she faced significant challenges due to her physical condition. However, her determination and resilience were evident from an early age. She was initially exhibited at fairs by a showman named Emmanuel Dukes, who recognized her potential for drawing and painting.

Career

Biffen taught herself to write, paint, and sew using her mouth and shoulders, skills that would later define her career and legacy. Her talent caught the attention of the Earl of Morton, who sponsored her education and helped her set up a studio in London. Biffen quickly gained fame for her miniature portraits, which were highly detailed and admired for their accuracy and beauty. She painted many notable figures of her time, including members of the British royal family.

Her work was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, and she won a medal from the Society of Arts in 1821. Biffen's success as an artist was remarkable, not only because of her physical condition but also because she was a woman in a male-dominated field. She was granted a civil list pension by William IV in recognition of her talent and contribution to the arts.

Later Life and Legacy

Sarah Biffen retired in the late 1840s and lived in Liverpool, where she passed away on October 2, 1850. Her life story was widely covered in the press, and she remains a symbol of perseverance and talent overcoming adversity. Biffen's paintings are still appreciated today for their technical skill and the unique perspective they offer on the 19th-century British society.

In Popular Culture

Sarah Biffen's extraordinary life has been the subject of various books and plays, highlighting her as an inspirational figure in the history of art and for people with disabilities.

See Also

• Phocomelia
• Fine arts
• History of painting
• Women artists