Full Record |
| Title |
Sir William Fordyce |
| Collection |
Marischal Museum, University of Aberdeen |
| Artist |
Attributed to Kauffmann, Angelica (Swiss painter and printmaker, 1741-1807) |
| Date Earliest |
1766 |
| Date Latest |
1781 |
| Description |
In this sympathetic portrayal of the Scottish physician and writer Sir William Fordyce (1724-1792), the sitter looks off to one side, introspectively. While fashionable in appearance, with curled hair and fur-lined jacket, we are reminded of his academic status by the scroll he holds and the books propped up behind him. The picture is attributed to the Swiss artist Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807), famed for her history paintings and portraits, and a founder member of London's Royal Academy. The painting is typical of Kauffman's portraiture from her period in London (1766-1781), and is reminiscent of the work of Reynolds. |
| Current Accession Number |
ABDUA 30062 |
| Subject |
portrait (Fordyce, Sir William) |
| Measurements |
118 x 92 cm (estimate) |
| Material |
oil on canvas |
| Acquisition Details |
Purchased by King's College, Aberdeen, 1839. |
| Provenance |
Bought by K. C. Fordyce (1724-1792);By descent. |
| Notes |
The date range given indicates the years that Kauffman spent in London, where she would have painted this portrait of Sir William Fordyce. The portrait is at the Marischal Museum (University of Aberdeen). Fordyce was educated at Marischal College and would eventually become the college's rector. The University of Aberdeen notes for the picture relate 'Senatus Mins 13/11/1839: William Booth (portrait painter in London) inspected the portrait & 'declared an original portrait by Kauffman, and as good a speciemen as he had ever seen''. |
| Rights Owner |
The University of Aberdeen |
| Author |
David Taylor |
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