Summer − Andrew Geddes − G − Scottish Artists A-Z − Scottish Art − Collection − National Galleries of Scotland

Summer

Reference URL

Andrew Geddes

Summer Exhibited 1826 (British Institution, London)

On Display Scottish National Gallery

Scottish Art

In 1823 Rubens?s celebrated picture `Le Chapeau de Paille? (National Gallery, London) was exhibited in London where Geddes probably made the pastel study in the Scottish National Gallery?s collection (D NG 1073 A/B). Geddes seems to have been fascinated by the blonde colouring and unusual up-lighting on the woman?s face in Rubens?s picture. This sitter is believed to be Miss Charlotte Nasmyth (1804-1884). In 1826 it was exhibited at the British Institution and was his personal tribute to Rubens. Both the Rubens?s `Le Chapeau de Paille? and Geddes?s `Summer? were exhibited in Edinburgh in 1828 by the Royal Institution, which immediately purchased the Geddes?s painting for its permanent collection.

Details

Acc. No. NG 191
Medium Oil on canvas
Size 81.30 x 64.20 cm (Framed: 102.50 x 85.30 x 8.20 cm)
Credit Purchased by the RI 1828, transferred 1859

Andrew Geddes (Scottish, 1783 - 1844)

Andrew Geddes, portrait painter and print-maker, was born in Edinburgh and attended Edinburgh University. He worked as a clerk for five years; only after his father's death was he able to study at the Royal Academy Schools in London. He returned to Edinburgh in 1810 and set up a portrait studio; he was back in London by 1814. With a fine sense of texture and colour, Geddes excelled at 'fancy pictures' - portraits of sitters dressed in exotic costume. His European travels enriched his art, in particular, a visit to Holland in 1839, where he admired the etched work of Rembrandt. Geddes was also an important collector of Old Master drawings, paintings and prints.