Portrait miniature of a lady, in a puce dress inscribed to the reverse 'Painted by Miss Biffin / Born without hands / Liverpool / 1846' watercolour on ivory 9.5 x 7cm Footnote: Sarah Biffin was born without arms or vestigial legs and was only 94 cm high. At a young age she was contracted under the service of a showman named Emmanuel Dukes, who presented her at fairs and sideshows as an attraction. Mr Dukes taught Miss Biffin how to paint, holding the paintbrush in her mouth, originally in order to increase her appeal for the public who came to watch her. However, she soon became a talented artist, and a demand grew for her work, which initially consisted of mainly landscapes and portrait miniatures. During her appearance at St. Bartholomew’s Fair in 1808, the Earl of Morton paid Miss Biffin a visit. He was so impressed with her skill at draughtsmanship that he sponsored Sarah and arranged private lessons for her by the Royal Academy painter, William Craig. Her popularity grew and she was accepted into the Royal Academy and awarded a medal by The Society of Artists in 1821. She was commissioned by the Royal Family to produce their portraits in miniature, including Queen Victoria. She was even mentioned by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nickleby and Martin Chuzzlewit. After her patron the Earl of Morton passed away, Queen Victoria awarded her a civil pension, and she retired to Liverpool. Condition report: Watercolour on ivory. With card backing.