SCOTTISH REGENCY PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN - ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN WATSON GORDON (1788-1864)

A fine and masterful portrait of a gentleman attributed to the celebrated Scottish artist John Watson Gordon (1788-1864)

The silver haired sitter is depicted half length within a wooded landscape in front of a setting sun. In contrast to the natural environment he is elegantly dressed in the traditional costume of a gentleman of substance, namely a black jacket and shimmering white silk waistcoat and stock.

With his head slightly inclined, as if to avoid eye contact with the viewer, he appears lost in thought. His sensitive and fleeting expression shows the artists skill in rendering acute observant character.

John Watson Gordon (1788-1864) Gordon was born John Watson in Edinburgh the eldest son of Captain Watson, R.A. He was educated specifically to prepare him for enrolling in the Royal Engineers however he showed a natural aptitude for art, and his father was persuaded to allow him to adopt it as his profession. 

Captain Watson was himself a skilful draughtsman, and his brother George Watson afterwards president of the Royal Scottish Academy, was a highly respected portrait painter, second only to Sir Henry Raeburn  who was a family friend

In 1808 Gordon exhibited a picture ‘The Lay of the last Minstrel’ at the Lyceum in Nicolson Street, Edinburgh and continued for some years to exhibit fancy subjects. One of the earliest of his famous sitters was Sir Walter Scott, who sat for a first portrait in 1820. These, works like the one we offer (unlike his later works) are generally rich in colour.

After the death of Sir Henry Raeburn in 1823 he succeeded to much of his practice. He assumed the name of Gordon in 1826.

Gordon was one of the earlier members of the Royal Scottish Academy, and was elected its president in 1850 he was at the same time appointed limner for Scotland to the queen, and received the honour of knighthood. Since 1841 he had been an associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1851 he was elected a royal academician.

During the last twenty years of his life he painted many distinguished Englishmen who came to Edinburgh to sit to him. His later works are mostly clear and grey, sometimes showing little or no positive colour, the flesh itself being very grey but handled masterfully.

This fine painting is in an excellent state of conservation and is presented ready two hang in an antique fluted frame that has been sympathetically refinished.

Higher resolution images on request.  
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Canvas : 30” x 25" / 77cm x 64cm. Frame: 36" x 31" / 92cm x 79cm.

SOLD.