Catherine Sandeman, Mrs Waterston, 1755 - 1831 − George Simson − S − Scottish Artists A-Z − Scottish Art − Collection − National Galleries of Scotland

Catherine Sandeman, Mrs Waterston, 1755 - 1831

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George Simson

Catherine Sandeman, Mrs Waterston, 1755 - 1831 1822

On Display PORTRAIT GALLERY

Scottish Art

Catherine Sandeman was born into an enterprising family: she was a niece of Robert Sandeman, an influential figure in the religious Glasite movement ? later Sandemanians ? and the sister of George Sandeman, founder of the wine shipping company. After the death of her husband in 1780, an Edinburgh sealing wax merchant, Mrs Waterston was left to continue the business as well as raise their children. In 1782 she opened a shop on Edinburgh's Lawnmarket, where she sold wax products as well as Essence of Peppermint to cure stomach complaints, sea sickness and hangovers. The Waterstons firm expanded into stationery and was owned by the family for seven generations. This portrait was painted after Catherine had retired from the business, though it still shows her intelligence and determination.

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Patent

Details

Acc. No. PG 3331
Medium Oil on canvas
Size 40.80 x 30.00 cm (framed: 48.40 x 42.00 x 6.60 cm)
Credit Gifted by Miss Leonora Waterston 2003

George Simson (Scottish, 1791 - 1862)

George Simson was born in Dundee and worked as a printer before he became an artist. He studied at the Trustees' Academy from 1828 to 29, whilst he was already teaching at the Edinburgh Drawing Institution. He was elected to the Royal Scottish Academy in 1829. In 1831 set up a drawing academy with his brother, David. The classes were given from the artist's Edinburgh home; men and women were taught separately and Mrs Simson was 'always present during the ladies' hours of instruction'. His own work includes fancy pictures, landscapes and portraits, the latter often 'cabinet portraits' - small scale works showing the sitter at full length.