General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, 1773 - 1860. Colonial governor and astronomer
About this artwork
Brisbane had a successful military career from when he joined the army in 1789. He rose to the rank of General following postings in Europe, India and America. In 1820 he was appointed governor of New South Wales, Australia. This role brought with it problems left by the previous governor, Lachlan Macquarie. However, Brisbane successfully nurtured cultivation of the land, farming and sponsored exploration beyond the colonial borders. Brisbane was also fascinated by astronomy and following his return to Britain in 1825 he increasingly pursued this interest. In 1833 he succeeded Sir Walter Scott as president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This lively sketch relates to the painting of the sitter that was commissioned by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1848.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Sir John Watson Gordon (1788 - 1864) Scottish
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title:General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, 1773 - 1860. Colonial governor and astronomer
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date created:1848
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materials:Pencil on paper
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measurements:16.20 x 11.00 cm
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object type:
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accession number:PG 1075
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gallery:
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depicted:
Sir John Watson Gordon
Sir John Watson Gordon
John Watson Gordon was training to become an army engineer when, encouraged by his uncle, the painter, George Watson, and Raeburn, who was a family friend, he decided to become an artist. His first works were subject pictures but, after Raeburn's death in 1823, he established himself as the leading portrait painter in Scotland. His style was at first closely based on Raeburn but was later more influenced by his admiration for Velázquez. In 1850 he was elected President of the Royal Scottish Academy, appointed Queen's Limner for Scotland and knighted.
