Attrib. Alexander Chisholm (1792-1847)- Framed Watercolour The Scottish Regalia

Description

This exquisite watercolour scene attributed to historical painter Alexander Chisholm depicts the story of the Scottish Regalia, concealed at Kinneff Parish Church during Oliver Cromwell's occupation of Scotland in 1652. The Honours of Scotland were made up of the crown, the sceptre, and the sword of state. For 8 years the jewel were hidden from Cronwell at Kinneff church, with the rumour remaining that the jewels had been smuggled abroad. This detailed watercolour scene depicts the minister of Kinneff and his wife digging up the regalia at night from under the church floors. The jewels would be aired in front of the fire to preserve them from damp and deterioration, before being wrapped in fresh cloths and buried again. Unsigned. The watercolour is housed in its original gilt frame with swept rail and ornate shell and acanthus, corner and centre mouldings. This work is said to be the last painting exhibited by Chisholm in 1846 before his death in 1847. Fixed to the reverse of the frame is the label, James M'clure & Son. Carvers, Gilders and Printsellers, Glasgow. Glazed. On wove.

Condition

The picture is in a remarkable condition considering its age. There is some minor discoloration to the watercolour itself. Signs of wear and tear to the gilt frame include stable cracking on all member and one small moulding losses to the right hand rail, towards the top corner. The overall condition of the artwork is extremely good.

Size

56 x 46cm (22" x 18.1")
Framed Size: 77 x 67cm (30.3" x 26.4")

Artist Biography

Portrait and historical painter, born at Elgin in Morayshire in 1792 or 1793. His father desired that he should be brought up as a weaver, and accordingly sent him at an early age to Peterhead to learn the trade, but his aversion to it was very great. His predilection for art was so strong that he was in the habit of making sketches on the cloth which was in the loom. At the age of nineteen or twenty he went to Edinburgh, where he gained the patronage of the Earls of Elgin and Buchan, and was afterwards appointed a teacher in the Royal Scottish Academy. In 1818 he moved to London, and met with much success as a painter of portraits, both in oil and in watercolours, among which was that of his patron, the Earl of Buchan, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1822.

His first contribution to the Royal Academy was in 1820, and from that time until his death he exhibited there and at the British Institution and the Society of British Artists, some forty-one works, as well as some excellent drawings at the rooms of the Society of Painters in Water-Colours, of which he became an associate exhibitor in 1829. Besides portraits, his earlier works comprise many small figure subjects, some of which were engraved in the ‘Forget-me-not’ and other annuals, but his favourite style of art was history. His most important pictures are: ‘Shakespeare before Sir Thomas Lucy,' exhibited in 1834: ‘Lady Jane Grey going to Execution,’ 1836: ‘The Cottar’s Saturday Night,’ 1837; ‘The Baptism of Ben Jonson's Daughter,’ to whom Shakespeare stood godfather, 1838, and again 1840; ‘The Lords of the Congregation taking the Oath of the Covenant,’ 1813; ‘Charles II offering to purchase some Miniatures from Mrs. Oliver, wife of Isaac Oliver, Miniature Painter,’ 1844; ‘An Incident in the Life of Sir Philip Sidney,’ 1845: and ‘The Minister of Kinneff and his wife concealing in the church the Scottish Regalia,’ his last work, exhibited in 1846.

Chisholm died at Rothesay in the Isle of Bute on 3 Oct. 1847, while taking portraits for a picture of the great meeting of the Evangelical Alliance, in the painting of which he was engaged.