Description
The original painting is currently in the possession of the National Portrait Gallery, London. According to the gallery website, many of the various unique artifacts of Scottish history displayed in the library were described by Allan on a label he pasted on the back of the painting:
No 1. Portrait of Sir Walter Scott in his study at Abbotsford, reading the Proclamation of Mary Queen of Scots previous to her marriage with Henry Darnley. The Still Life of the Picture is painted from the originals in Abbotsford. The vase was the gift of Lord Byron; the keys hanging by the window are those of ‘Heart of Mid Lothian’ or Old Tolbooth of Edinburg. The Sword suspended from the Bookcase belonged to Montrose, and the Rifle surmounting the various articles hanging over the Mantlepiece to Speckbacher the Tyrolese Patriot; near the Bookcase are hung an ancient Border Bugle, James the 6th’s travelling Flask, and the Sporan or Purse of Rob Roy Mcgregor. Behind the Bust of Shakespeare is Rob Roy’s long gun, above which is Claverhous’s Pistol and below a brace formerly the Property of Napoleon – The Stag Hound lying at Sir Walter’s feet is Maida, his old favourite – William Allan 8 Scotland Street Edinburgh and 34 King Street Covent Garden.
Berlin woolwork — a German needlepoint embroidery technique in which brightly colored wool would be stitched on canvas — was a popular parlor pastime for ladies in Europe and America in the 19th century. This particular one of Sir Walter Scott is akin to petit point, thus allowing for the image to appear in greater detail and clarity. Similar woolwork examples of this painting are known, suggesting that it was made from a pre-printed canvas on which the needlepoint was added by hand. A similar example of this woolwork is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The pattern was based on the original painting by Sir William Allan rendered in 1831, and/or the 1835 engraving of Allan’s painting by artist John Burnet.
Sir Walter Scott was a prolific writer with a major influence on European and American literature and is often credited with inventing the historical novel. Many of Scott’s works are considered classics today, including the Waverly Novels (1810s) and narrative poems dedicated to the retelling of Scottish history, such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805) and The Lady of the Lake (1810). A legal administrator by profession, Scott was also active in Edinburgh’s Tory establishment and the region’s literary and historical community, serving as president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from 1820 to 1832 and receiving the title of baronet in 1820 for his role in the recovery of the Scottish Crown Jewels from Edinburgh Castle two years prior. His fame during his lifetime and numerous accomplishments contributed to the proliferation of his image as a quintessential aristocratic and scholar.
The artist of the original composition, Scotsman Sir William Allan, was a contemporary of Scott’s and a like minded advocate for literacy and the arts. A historical painter by trade, Sir William Allan studied art at the Trustees’ Academy in Edinburgh before entering the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Allan is best known for his scenes of Russian life, inspired by over a decade of travel, as well as his devotion to Scottish historical compositions and scenes from Sir Walter Scott novels. Like Sir Walter Scott, Sir William Allan was a prominent member of Scottish society: Allan was appointed Master of the Trustees’ Academy in 1826 and was made president of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1838. In the final years of his life, Allan became the Painter and Limner to the queen in Scotland, assigning him the duty of documenting royal family life as an official court painter. He was subsequently knighted in 1842 as was usual for the distinguished position of Court Painter.
Condition: Generally very good with light overall toning, wear. Frame very good with light wear and shrinkage.
References:
Allan, William. “Sir Walter Scott, 1st Bt.” National Portrait Gallery London. 2024. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitExtended/mw05676/Sir-Walter-Scott-1st-Bt? (28 October 2024).
Burnet, John. “Sir Walter Scott, 1st Bt.” National Portrait Gallery London. 2024. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw204481/Sir-Walter-Scott-1st-Bt (28 October 2024).
“Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2000. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/229874 (28 October 2024).
“Walter Scott.” Wikipedia. 6 November 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott (7 November 2024).
“William Allan (painter).” Wikipedia. 27 April 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Allan (painter) (28 October 2024).
