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 ...