Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
A powerful portrait of the famed writer Sir Walter Scott, a period copy after Sir Henry Raeburn.
Paton, Edinburgh, of the type he used between 1829 to 1839.
SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771 - 1832) novelist and poet; his historical novels were read and admired throughout Europe. Those which dealt with Scottish themes, like Heart of Midlothian and Waverley, have had a major influence on how Scots see their own past and on how Scotland is viewed from outside. This portrait was one of the last Raeburn ever worked on, the artist dying only days after its completion. Scott, however, is shown at the peak of his career. Within four years he was bankrupt, and his health was destroyed from the need to write his way out of debt.
SIR HENRY RAEBURN 1756-1823. For several decades, Sir Henry Raeburn occupied an unrivalled position as the leading portrait painter in Scotland, leaving us a remarkable gallery of images of the most notable personalities of his day. Given Raeburn’s status and reputation it is surprising that he and Walter Scott (1771–1832), by far his most famous contemporary, were merely acquaintances. It was only at the very end of Raeburn’s life, when this portrait was painted, that the relationship between the painter and the writer developed into a friendship. Scott was neither an admirer of Raeburn’s work nor an enthusiastic sitter for portraits, commenting on one occasion: ‘Not only myself but my very dog growls when he observes a painter preparing his palette.’ However, Scott was very pleased with this picture and, when it was finished, he told Raeburn that he wished that ‘none but your portraits of me were in existence’.
SIZE: 35.5 x 30.25 inches including frame.
PROVENANCE: By family descent from the former family home, Skeabost House, Isle of Skye. The eighteen bedroom Skeabost was remodelled by the MacDonalds of Skye in 1870/1 to use as a hunting lodge, but there has been a house there since Viking times; the name Skeabost is of Norse origin, meaning 'The Sheltered House' It is now run as a high quality hotel.
Verso: Early 19th century trade label for Paton of Edinburgh; and labels for W. Freeman & Son, Albemarle Street, London, who cleaned and lined the portrait and supplied the frame c.1970.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Sir Walter Scott C.1830; After Raeburn.
