Pompeo Batoni
James Bruce of Kinnaird, 1730 - 1794. African explorer
About this artwork
James Bruce was, at six feet four inches tall, an impressive figure. He was an explorer, archaeologist and a brilliant linguist. In 1762 he spent six months in Italy where Batoni painted this glowing portrait. Bruce's travels subsequently took him to North Africa, Crete, Syria, Egypt and Abyssinia. He is best known for his exploration of the sources of the Nile, reaching the headstream of the Blue Nile in 1770.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Pompeo BatoniItalian (1708 - 1787)
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title:James Bruce of Kinnaird, 1730 - 1794. African explorer
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date created:1762
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:72.40 x 62.20 cm; Framed: 86.70 x 74.20 x 6.80 cm / 8.00 kg
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object type:
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credit line:Bequeathed by Mary Hamilton Campbell, Lady Ruthven 1885
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accession number:PG 141
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gallery:
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depicted:
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subject:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
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Pompeo Batoni
Pompeo Batoni
Batoni, a native of Lucca, was the son of a goldsmith. He began in his father's workshop but left for Rome in 1727 where he soon acquired a reputation for making fine drawings after the antique, which were often bought by British visitors. During his long career, Batoni executed altarpieces for...
