Mrs. Johnston of Hutton Hall, Berwickshire
About this artwork
The sitter in this pastel portrait is Catharine Hume of Ninewells (1760 – 1820), later Mrs Johnston of Hutton Hall. She was niece of the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, David Hume (1711 -1776), with whom she bares a strong family resemblance. There is a portrait of her father, John Hume in the collection. The picture has been dated 1796-1800, which would make Catharine 36-40 years old. Her dress and feathered straw hat (almost certainly Italian) mix British and Italian high fashion.
Published February 2022
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artist:Archibald Skirving (1749 - 1819) Scottish
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title:Mrs. Johnston of Hutton Hall, Berwickshire
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date created:About 1796 - 1800
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materials:Pastel on paper
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measurements:62.70 x 50.90 cm (framed: 74.00 x 61.50 x 4.00 cm)
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object type:
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credit line:Miss E.K.H. Scott Bequest 1939
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accession number:D NG 1914
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gallery:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Archibald Skirving
Archibald Skirving
Skirving was born near Haddington, East Lothian. After being educated locally, he began work as a junior clerk at the Customs Office in Edinburgh. It is thought that Skirving also studied at the Trustees' Academy in the city at the same time, while painting miniatures at night. By the end of 1777...
