James M. Robert Greenlees, (Scottish, 1820-1894)
“The Wonderfu Wean”
Oil on panel. Inscribed in brown ink on a paper label applied to the back of the painting; No.3 ''The Wonderfu'' Wean'' - bide; Millers Nursery Rhyme – Robt Greenlees 193 Sauchiehall St. A further inscription written on the back of the frame repeats the artist’s name and title and suggests a date of about 1865.
Painting: 10 1/2x 7 5/8 in. (26.5 x 19.3 cm.)
Frame: 16 1/4 x 13 1/2 in. (41.2 x 34.3 cm.)
Condition: There has been a little overpaint on the left side of his hat and some thin lines of overpaint in-between some dark areas of craquelure, otherwise the painting is in a good state. The gilded frame has one piece of moulding missing (upper left) and has had an old coat of bronze paint applied over the face of the frame (not the sides). With the picture in the frame under glass these minor faults appear without notice.
''The Wonderfu'' Wean'' depicts a speaker''s adoration for their exceptional child, whose intelligence and curiosity evoke admiration. The rhyme highlights the child''s endless questions and the speaker''s attempts to answer them.
The tone is affectionate and humorous, as the speaker recounts the child''s antics, including imitating their father and questioning the origins of the universe. The description of the child''s appearance and demeanor is endearing, emphasizing their wisdom and maturity beyond their years.
Compared to the author''s other works, the rhyme shares a similar theme of family love and childhood, often employing a lighthearted and playful tone. Its focus on the child''s intellect and wonder aligns with the Romantic era''s emphasis on the imagination and innocence of children.
Biography
Robert Greenlees had been a pupil teacher at the The Glasgow School of Art, a position which required the winning of a bronze medal. A small stipend was offered and the pupil divided his time between his own work, and teaching drawing in the element
...ary classes. Greenlees had progressed through the various grades of attainment on the national curriculum and was awarded an Art Master''s certificate on the basis of his accumulated subject passes.
In 1863, he was appointed headmaster at The Glasgow School of Art, after Heath Wilson''s retirement. He held this post from 1863-1881, and oversaw the move in 1869 from Ingram Street to the Corporation Buildings on Sauchiehall Street, with the main entrance to the School being 3 Rose Street. Greenlees was a founder member of the Glasgow Art Club, and served as president from 1882-1883.
Greenlees worked as a stained glass artist and later as a landscape painter, working primarily in oil and watercolour. He was an early member of the West of Scotland Academy, and a founder member of the Royal Society of Watercolour Painters in Scotland. He specialised in West Highland subjects, typically woodland scenes with birch trees growing out of a carpet of ferns. His technical skill was impressive and he ranks as a very competent landscape painter. As a supporter of life classes for women he employed women teachers at the School. His own daughter, Georgina, was one of the four female teachers employed.
Nursery Song
The Wonderfu’ Wean
William Muller
OUR wean ''s the most wonderfu'' wean e''er I saw,
It would tak'' me a lang summer day to tell a''
His pranks, frae the morning till night shuts his ee,
When he sleeps like a peerie, ''tween father and me.
For in his quiet turns, siccan questions he''ll speir:-
How the moon can stick up in the sky that''s sae clear?
What gars the wind blaw? and whar frae comes the rain?
He ''s a perfect divert--he ''s a wonderfu'' wean.
Or who was the first bodie''s father ? and wha
Made the very first snaw-shower that ever did fa'' ?
And who made the first bird that sang on a tree?
And the water that sooms a'' the ships in the sea?--
B
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION please contact Clayton
T: 01597 272 439
M: 07790 208 712Antique Number: SA1075742
Dateline of this antique is 19th Century
Height is 41.2cm (16.2inches)Width is 34.3cm (13.5inches)Depth is 0cm (0.0inches)
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