Francis John Williamson

Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, 1818 - 1878. Spanish scholar and historian

About this artwork

Stirling-Maxwell was a pioneer in the appreciation of Spanish art. He collected pictures by artists such as Goya and El Greco at a time when such interests were highly unusual. His 'Annals of the Artists of Spain' (1848) was the first important book on the subject. He assembled an outstanding art collection, which can now be seen at Pollok House, Glasgow. It is one of the most comprehensive selections of Spanish painting in Britain. In this bust of Stirling-Maxwell, the patterned wrap suggests the subject's Spanish connections.

Updated before 2020

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Francis John Williamson

Francis John Williamson