SARAH BIFFIN Artist, writer, trailblazer

Nige Tassell explores the life and career of the disabled English painter whose work is set to be the focus of a major new exhibition later this vear

- NIGE TASSELL

When she came into the world in October 1784, the prospects for Sarah Biffin were far from great. Born into poverty to a Somerset shoemaker and his wife, young Sarah had no arms, hands or legs - a condition later defined as phocomelia. And yet, despite her circumstances, this woman's extraordinary talents would find her courted and celebrated by royalty and nobility across Europe.

As a child growing up on the edge of the Quantock Hills, Biffin was understandably envious of the physical freedom enjoyed by her siblings, so the young girl forged a plan. "At the age of eight years," she later recorded, "I was very desirous of acquiring the use of my needle; but my parents discouraged the idea, thinking it wholly impracticable. I was not, however, intimidated, and whenever my father and mother were absent, I was continually practising my every invention; till at length I could, with my mouth - thread a needle - tie a knot - do fancy work - cut out and make my own dresses."

That Biffin recorded these thoughts in a slim volume of autobiography indicates another skill she developed: writing. Indeed, an admirer later praised her "excellent lady's handwriting as we should call it but executed, as all else, by her mouth alone".

By the time Biffin was 13, her parents agreed to an offer by Emmanuel Dukes, a promoter of travelling shows across southwest England. The combination of her physical appearance (her height in adulthood was just 37 inches) and her exceptionally dextrous skills would thought Dukes, make her a tremendous draw as his sideshows moved around the region. Biffin had, effectively, become part of a freak show. "The Reader may easily think it impossible she should be capable of doing what is inserted in this Bill,” explained one of the show's posters, "but if she cannot... the Conductor will forfeit 1000 Guineas."