ALKEN, Siffrien [or Sefferien]

c.1820 - 1873

Siffrien Alken, said to have been born at Ipswich, but he states either Kentish Town or St Pancras, London, around 1820 when his parents were living in Ipswich, son of Henry Thomas Alken and his wife Maria née Gordon (1786-October 1841) of Ipswich who married at St Clement's Church, Ipswich on 14 October 1809. Siffrien shared a studio in London with artist George Alken (1790–October 1831) until George's death. Siffrien married at St Pancras, London in 1840, Mary Ann Johnson (1821-) and in 1851, a 31-year-old teacher of drawing, living at 34 Pleasant Place, Lambeth with his 30-year-old wife Mary Ann, who was born at Lambeth and children Henry 10, Phillis 7, and George 4, who were all born at Lambeth. In 1871, a 51-year-old artist, living at 23 Lower Bland Street, Stoke Newington, London with his wife and two of his children, Siffrien 18, a butcher, and Lydia 10, who were both born at Newington. Siffrien Alken died at 23 Lower Bland Street, now known as Cardinal Bourne Street in the London Borough of Southwark, on 19 January 1873, aged 52. He painted sporting pictures and signed them S. Alken which has added to confusion in attribution.

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Works by This Artist