About this artwork
The architect Robert Adam’s period of study in Rome, from 1755-1757, coincided with the artist Allan Ramsay’s second stay in that city. In letters home Adam referred to Ramsay cheekily as “Old Mumpy” and “Black-beard Allan”. Nevertheless, he visited the Ramsays regularly, explaining that “nothing could be genteeler than their weekly conversations . . . and as Mrs Ramsay is of so good a family and Mumpy himself so rich they are no discredit.” He joined the artist on sketching expeditions and Ramsay painted his portrait in 1755.
Updated before 2020
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artist:James Tassie (1735 - 1799) Scottish
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title:Robert Adam, 1728 - 1792. Architect
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date created:1792
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materials:Paste
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measurements:13.60 x 11.00 x 2.90 cm (framed size)
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object type:
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credit line:Transferred from the National Gallery of Scotland 1889
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accession number:PG 201
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gallery:
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depicted:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
James Tassie
James Tassie
Tassie was born in Pollokshaws, Glasgow. He trained first as a stone mason and then attended the Foulis Academy in Glasgow. Tassie moved to Dublin in 1763, where he learned how to make imitations of antique cameos. He invented a formula for a type of glass paste which he used for the rest of his...