Sir Joshua Reynolds
Professor Adam Ferguson [Adhamh MacFhearghais], 1723 - 1816. Philosopher and author
About this artwork
Ferguson is a major figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. A professor of philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, his activities also included farming, diplomacy, mathematics and the church (as an army chaplain). This portrait was hanging in Ferguson's house in Edinburgh when the young Walter Scott and the poet Robert Burns were entertained there in the winter of 1786, the only time the two great writers ever met.
Updated before 2020
-
artist:Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792) English
-
title:Professor Adam Ferguson [Adhamh MacFhearghais], 1723 - 1816. Philosopher and author
-
date created:1781/2
-
materials:Oil on canvas
-
measurements:75.90 x 63.50 cm; Framed: 92.50 x 79.50 x 8.60 cm
-
object type:
-
credit line:Purchased 1992
-
accession number:PG 2890
-
gallery:
-
depicted:
-
subject:
-
artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.
Sir Joshua Reynolds
Sir Joshua Reynolds
Reynolds was born in Plympton, Devon, the son of a headmaster. He was apprenticed to the London portrait painter, Thomas Hudson, in 1740. In 1749 he went to Italy, spending two years in Rome. On his return, in 1753, he set up a studio in London. Reynolds developed a portrait style which attempted...