DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61252#0110
66
THE QUEEN’S GALLERY.
180 Portrait of Himself. —The original head, in spectacles, 3
painted at the age of fifty, and of which there are several
repetitions. Presented to George IV. by the Marchioness
of Thomond.
C. 2 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 1 in.
WILKIE (Sir David), b. in Scotland, 1785 ; knighted by William IV.,
1836 ; d. at Gibraltar, 1841.
[This distinguished painter had two entirely different manners.
He began by imitating the Dutch masters, or rather—for he was no
imitator—aiming at the same kind of excellencies, lively repre-
sentations of low and familiar life, spirited character, and light, delicate
finish. In this style is the picture here, “ Blind Man’s Buff;” and
“ The Village Festival,” and “ Blind Fiddler,” in the National Gallery.
After his travels in Italy and Spain, his talent took an opposite direc-
tion ; he aimed at a higher range of subjects, more powerful colour,
and richer effects. He painted history and portraits, and sometimes
on a large scale ; but these are not his best works; and latterly he
became sketchy and feeble in drawing, streaky in handling, and heavy
in the tone of colour. He remains, however, one of the best painters
of modern times in power and versatility.
Besides the pictures hung in the gallery, her Majesty possesses
several others by Wilkie, among which are—The Guerilla taking
leave of his Confessor, The Guerilla’s Return, The Guerilla Council,
Queen Victoria at her First Council, The Penny Wedding, The
Maid of Saragossa, The Pifferari, and The Princess Doria washing
the Feet of the Pilgrims.]
181 George IV. entering the Palace of Holyrood— 1
on the occasion of his visit to Scotland, August 5, 1822.
The Duke of Hamilton, first peer of Scotland, in the
plaid of the Earls of Arran, presents the keys of the
palace, of which he is hereditary keeper. On the right of
the King is the Duke of Montrose ; at the entrance of the
palace, the Duke of Argyll, hereditary keeper of the house-
hold ; behind him, Sir Alexander Keith bears the crown of
Robert Bruce ; to the left of the picture, the Earl of Hope-
toun, in the dress of the royal archers; and near him, Sir
Walter Scott, in the character of historian or bard.
This picture, painted by command of George IV. in
THE QUEEN’S GALLERY.
180 Portrait of Himself. —The original head, in spectacles, 3
painted at the age of fifty, and of which there are several
repetitions. Presented to George IV. by the Marchioness
of Thomond.
C. 2 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 1 in.
WILKIE (Sir David), b. in Scotland, 1785 ; knighted by William IV.,
1836 ; d. at Gibraltar, 1841.
[This distinguished painter had two entirely different manners.
He began by imitating the Dutch masters, or rather—for he was no
imitator—aiming at the same kind of excellencies, lively repre-
sentations of low and familiar life, spirited character, and light, delicate
finish. In this style is the picture here, “ Blind Man’s Buff;” and
“ The Village Festival,” and “ Blind Fiddler,” in the National Gallery.
After his travels in Italy and Spain, his talent took an opposite direc-
tion ; he aimed at a higher range of subjects, more powerful colour,
and richer effects. He painted history and portraits, and sometimes
on a large scale ; but these are not his best works; and latterly he
became sketchy and feeble in drawing, streaky in handling, and heavy
in the tone of colour. He remains, however, one of the best painters
of modern times in power and versatility.
Besides the pictures hung in the gallery, her Majesty possesses
several others by Wilkie, among which are—The Guerilla taking
leave of his Confessor, The Guerilla’s Return, The Guerilla Council,
Queen Victoria at her First Council, The Penny Wedding, The
Maid of Saragossa, The Pifferari, and The Princess Doria washing
the Feet of the Pilgrims.]
181 George IV. entering the Palace of Holyrood— 1
on the occasion of his visit to Scotland, August 5, 1822.
The Duke of Hamilton, first peer of Scotland, in the
plaid of the Earls of Arran, presents the keys of the
palace, of which he is hereditary keeper. On the right of
the King is the Duke of Montrose ; at the entrance of the
palace, the Duke of Argyll, hereditary keeper of the house-
hold ; behind him, Sir Alexander Keith bears the crown of
Robert Bruce ; to the left of the picture, the Earl of Hope-
toun, in the dress of the royal archers; and near him, Sir
Walter Scott, in the character of historian or bard.
This picture, painted by command of George IV. in