No.4

LOOKING AT SOME PAINTINGS BY SCOTTISH ARTISTS

I found it very difficult to make a choice. Scottish artists have produced so many great paintings, and what you will see here are just a few of my own favourites.

The first one “The Skating Minister” is probably the best known work I’m showing. The artist Henry Raeburn 1756-1823, born in Edinburgh, started off as an apprentice goldsmith, began painting portrait miniatures and then worked in oils in which he was self-taught.

“The Expectant Wee Things” is an engraving by William Miller after John Faed 1819-1902. His brothers Thomas and James Faed were also painters of some note.

This is “Bank Holiday” by William Strang 1859-1921. This artist was born in Dumbarton and studied at the Slade School of Art in London. He was very skilful at etching and created a series of illustrations for Pilgrim’s Progress, The Ancient Mariner, Rudyard Kipling stories, etc.

This engraving by James Caldwell after Gavin Hamilton 1723-1798 is a splendid tableau “Coriolanus Act V Scene 3.”  Hamilton studied in Rome and much of his work was based on Greek and Roman subjects.

This next picture “Afternoon” is by Francis Cadell 1883-1937 who was a left-handed painter. When he was a student, the president of the Royal Scottish Academy told him that no left-handed artist had ever become great. “But sir,” answered Cadell, "didn’t Michelangelo paint with his left hand?” The president turned and left without saying anything. Another student asked him how he knew that. Cadell replied, “I didn’t know, but neither did the president!”

“A Highland Funeral” by James Guthrie 1859-1930. This artist who was mostly self-taught was highly regarded for his portraits.

David Wilkie 1785-1841, when a young man, used to frequent markets and fairs, any place people gathered, and always had his sketch book with him. Later in life he did a great deal of travelling abroad. He was godfather to the son of a friend and the little boy grew up to become a famous novelist - Wilkie Collins. This painting is called “Reading the Will.”

Finally, this is another one by John Faed.  “Tam O’Shanter and the Witches” is based on the well-known poem by Robert Burns.

I am still having problems with the presentation of this blog, but I'm hoping they can be solved before the next posting which should be on Friday 29th October.

***A Touch of Culture***A Touch of Culture***A Touch of Culture***