Without Hands: The Art of Sarah Biffin

A celebration of an artist whose under-sung legacy testifies to the enduring power of originality, drive, and devotion. 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.

Emma Rutherford is a portrait miniatures consultant at Philip Mould & Company, London. Ellie Smith is a researcher at Philip Mould & Company, London.