TW426920 Billy Purvis, c.1820 (oil on paper) by Powell, James (fl.1820); 52.5x28.5 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; (add.info.: The North East clown Billy Purvis (1784-1853) was known as the funniest man on Tyneside. He started his career in pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle. He later toured northern England and Scotland as a clown, comic singer and dancer. A label on the back of the picture records that the artist was James Powell, who became friendly with Billy Purvis when he was performing at the show ground at the bottom of Westmorland Road, Newcastle;); 穢 Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums; British, out of copyright.