John Vines life (1809-1867) was extraordinary

The son of a shoemaker, he was born in Bury St Edmonds iwith malformed arms caused by a rare genetic disorder.

From a very early age he was exhibited as a curiosity. 19C news reports suggest he had some notoriety as a child artist, who entertained in fairs and shows, demonstrating his artistic skills. Hisfamily moved to Colchester in 1828, and in time, John Vine’s reputation as an artist grew and he became established as a professional painter, specialising in domestic and livestock portraits.