It's 19th Century day, and we start with the first of two items in the series by pioneering Scottish photographers. This is Athlete by Dr. John Adamson from 1850. He's beautiful.
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Dr. George Bell
As a proud Scottish-American, I was thrilled to find this 1845 photo of Dr. George Bell by David Octavius Hill of Edinburgh. The new science of photography had its place in the flourishing
Scottish art scene of that era, and Mr. Hill was a true pioneer. Below, Dr. Bell dressed
and looking very good. Both photos are in the National Gallery of Scotland.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Joseph Johnston "Joe" Lee
Joseph Johnston Lee (1876-1949) preferred to be called simply "Joe Lee" and was an artist, illustrator, and war poet. Although he was over age (37) and asthmatic, he joined the famous Black Watch Scottish division shortly after the start of World War I. Sent to the trenches of the Western Front in France, he wrote some touching poetry and made drawings of the men and scenes of the war. He continued this even after being taken as a war prisoner by the Germans in late 1917. Today we look at his art.
Colonel Milavanovich
On his way to the POW camp in Karlruhe, Germany, Joe Lee convinced one of his captors to allow him to not only keep his sketch pad, but to buy some additional supplies. This color pencil drawing of fellow prisoner Col. Stephan Milavanovich of Serbia was done in 1918.
Academic I
Joe Lee attended art classes at the Dundee YMCA 1904-06, yet area
art collections date his academic style male nudes in the 1920s.
This one is good overall, but the hollow eyes put me off.
Unknown
The handsome subject of this drawing is not named by the usually well curated Dundee Museum.
Dinner Card
A Black Watch dinner card from January of 1917 seems to indicate that the soldiers ate well.
It may be a joke, however, because the soldier holding his dinner pail looks incredulous.
Sgt. Callary
Closing the Joe Lee series with what I think he did best, a portrait of a soldier. The subject is
Sergeant J. Callary from 1915. I hope this beautiful man survived that horror of a war.
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Scottish Male Nudes
I've been to Scotland seven times, having deep family roots there. While doing genealogy research in Edinburgh, one of my consultants suggested that I visit the National Galleries of Scotland. Although not large by most standards, the place was full of treasures. One thing led to another, and I ended up enjoying the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow as well as the Galleries of the Palace at Holyroodhouse. Today, I'm posting eleven male nudes by different Scottish artists, starting with two unknowns. This first one is by an artist from Dundee, and although undated, it looks 20th Century.
Unknown II
This was found in the archives of an Edinburgh art college with no name attached.
The style reminds me of William Etty and the model's hair seems to be of Etty's era.
David Comba Adamson
David Comba Adamson (1859-1926) produced this academic nude around 1880
and went on the be a well regarded portraitist whose work still sells well at auction.
Below is his portrait of James Russell, a prosperous Dundee chemist.
William Small Black
I like the pose in this academic work by William Small Black from 1880.
I think I see an Impressionist influence.
George Bathgate
Little is known about George Bathgate other than that he had a short career (1880-1889)
and managed to get this male nude into the Royal Scottish Academy collection.
Hugh Cameron
Exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy annually from 1854 to 1918, Hugh Cameron had a remarkably long run of success. His is best known for rural scenes of Scottish folk life.
The male nude above is from 1909.
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