About this artwork
John Kay began his career as a barber-surgeon before turning his hand to producing etched caricatures of his contemporaries. This self-taught artist's prolific output created an unmatched record of the citizens of Scotland's capital. Kay's simple, often humorous, portrayals provide a satirical commentary on Edinburgh society for which he was sometimes threatened with legal action. They offer a telling comparison to the grander images painted by established portrait painters. Kay sold his prints and miniature paintings from a shop at 10 Parliament Close. Within twelve years of his death his caricatures were published in a two-volume book, 'A series of original portraits and caricature etchings by the late John Kay', with a second edition following four years later.
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:John Kay, 1742 - 1826. Caricaturist (Self-portrait)
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date created:About 1786
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:26.00 x 20.60 cm; Framed: 36.00 x 39.00 x 5.00 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1918
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accession number:PG 892
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depicted:
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subject:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
John Kay
John Kay
John Kay was a portrait etcher and miniature painter who was born near Dalkeith. Self-taught, he originally started working as a barber in Edinburgh but devoted his spare time to art. In 1785 he left the barber’s trade for caricature portraiture. He made nearly 900 plates of almost every notable...