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Andrew Plimer

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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ANDREW PLIMER ( c. 1763-1837), English miniature Painter, was the son of a clock-maker at Wellington. Disliking his father's business, he and his brother Nathaniel joined a party of gypsies and wandered about with them, eventually reaching London, where he presented himself to Mrs Cosway in 1781 and was engaged by her as studio boy. His skill in painting was quickly detected by Cosway, who sent him to a friend to learn drawing, and then received him into his own studio, where he remained until 1785, when he set up for himself in Great Maddox Street. It was of this artist that Cosway said "Andrew will be my Elisha," adding with characteristic vanity, "if I am not constrained to carry my mantle up to Paradise with me." Plimer married Joanna Louisa Knight, whose sister, Mary Ann, was his pupil and a well-known artist. He had five children, only one of whom, Louisa, married. He exhibited many times in the Royal Academy, resided for a while in Exeter, travelled a good deal through England, and died at Brighton and was buried at Hove. His miniatures are of great brilliance and in considerable demand among collectors. They are to be distinguished by the peculiar wiry treatment of the hair and by the large full expressive eyes Plimer invariably gave to his female sitters, eyes resembling those of his own wife and daughters.

See Andrew and Nathaniel Plimer, by G. C. Williamson (London, 1903). (G. C. W.)