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:<\/p>\n
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.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Berlin woolwork \u2014 a German needlepoint embroidery technique in which brightly colored wool would be stitched on canvas \u2014 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\u2019s painting by artist John Burnet.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s works are considered classics today, including the Waverly Novels<\/b> (1810s) and narrative poems dedicated to the retelling of Scottish history, such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel<\/b> (1805) and The Lady of the Lake<\/b> (1810). A legal administrator by profession, Scott was also active in Edinburgh\u2019s Tory establishment and the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The artist of the original composition, Scotsman Sir William Allan, was a contemporary of Scott\u2019s and a like minded advocate for literacy and the arts. A historical painter by trade, Sir William Allan studied art at the Trustees\u2019 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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
Condition: Generally very good with light overall toning, wear. Frame very good with light wear and shrinkage.<\/p>\n
References:<\/p>\n
Allan, William. \u201cSir Walter Scott, 1st<\/sup> Bt.\u201d National Portrait Gallery London. <\/i>2024. https:\/\/www.npg.org.uk\/collections\/search\/portraitExtended\/mw05676\/Sir-Walter-Scott-1st-Bt? (28 October 2024).<\/p>\n
Burnet, John. \u201cSir Walter Scott, 1st<\/sup> Bt.\u201d National Portrait Gallery London. <\/i>2024. https:\/\/www.npg.org.uk\/collections\/search\/portrait\/mw204481\/Sir-Walter-Scott-1st-Bt (28 October 2024).<\/p>\n
\u201cSir Walter Scott at Abbotsford.\u201d The Metropolitan Museum of Art. <\/i>2000. https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/229874 (28 October 2024).<\/p>\n
\u201cWalter Scott.\u201d Wikipedia. <\/i>6 November 2024. https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walter_Scott (7 November 2024).<\/p>\n
\u201cWilliam Allan (painter).\u201d Wikipedia.<\/i> 27 April 2024. <\/i>https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/William_Allan (painter) (28 October 2024).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sir William Allan (1782 \u20131850) (after)
\nSir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, in his Study<\/b>
\nEnglish or American: Mid 19th Century
\nBerlin woolwork needlepoint
\n28 x 22 inches framed, overall (approximate)
\n$950<\/p>\nSir Walter Scott\u2019s Library \u2014 Iconic Scottish Historical Treasures<\/i><\/p>\n
A Victorian needlepoint picture \u2014 likely Berlin woolwork \u2014 of the renowned novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) in his study at Abbotsford, his early 1800s baronial mansion in Scotland. It is presented in a fine early dense mahogany frame. This charming, colorful, detailed historical portrait depicts Scott in his private life, sitting beside a fire reading with his dog at feet. Scott\u2019s library reflects his literary accomplishments and baronetcy, richly cluttered with numerous books, decorative objects, period furniture, and hunting accoutrements. Indeed, many of the objects in the library are unique, important Scottish historical artifacts and presentation pieces. As such, the picture is at once an important portrait of a celebrated Scotsman and an interior scene of a British gentleman\u2019s library of the later Regency period filled with important Scottish historical objects. Moreover, this needlework picture is closely based on the famous portrait painting by the highly accomplished Scottish painter Sir William Allan (1782-1850), completed the year prior to Scott\u2019s death in 1832.<\/p>\n
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