Silhouette of Agnes Burns
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: Silhouette of Agnes Burns
Classmark: MS 2300/3
Creator(s): Burns, Agnes (1732-1820); Miers, John (1756-1821)
Date(s): c.1885
Size and medium: 0.5 box; 1 silhouette
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/778172
Description
Silhouette of Agnes Burns (née) Broun, Robert Burns' mother. The oval silhouette is in black ink painted on plaster and is by John Miers. It is covered by a convex piece of glass.
The silhouette is in a wooden frame with a gilt edging, some of which has flaked off. It has a hanging ring.
The frame is backed with a piece of card. There is an inscription in black ink on the backing reading: 'Poet Burns' mother (Agnes Burns, died 1820, aged 87). A trade label with a decorative border has been pasted to the card which reads 'JNo Miers Lowerhead-Row, Leeds.' The label also contains advertising copy for Miers' work. A label with a pinked edge reading 495 which may be an exhibition number has also been pasted on.
Additional description
The frame measures 1006 mm x 800 mm. It is 250 mm wide in the middle at the top and 190 mm wide in the middle at the side. The silhouette is 530 mm x 400 mm.
Features
Written in black ink in a 19th century hand: 'Poet Burns' mother (Agnes Burns, died 1820, aged 87).
Biography or history
Agnes Broun (1732-1820), or Brown, was born in Craigenton in South Ayrshire. Her father was a farmer. Agnes married William Burnes in 1757. As well as helping to run the farm by rearing poultry and making cheese, Agnes was a good storyteller and singer. She is credited with influencing Burns' love of lyrics and music.
John Miers (1756-1821) painter of silhouettes was born in Leeds. He set up business in Lowerhead Row in Leeds. Lowerhead Row stetched from New Briggate to Vicar Lane. He moved to Edinburgh before going south and establishing a workshop at 111 The Strand, London.
Provenance
The silhouette was gifted to the Brotherton Library by Dorothy Una Ratcliffe in 1959.
Access and usage
Access
This material is not subject to restrictions under Data Protection or other relevant legislation that might limit access. However, other protections, such as donor conditions or conservation considerations, may still apply where advised.
Material in this collection may be unavailable on conservation grounds. Access is at the discretion of the Conservation Officer.