Mrs Isabella (Burns) Begg, 1771 - 1858. Youngest sister of Robert Burns [b]
About this artwork
Isabella Burns Begg was the youngest sister of the poet, Robert Burns. There was a striking resemblance between the two. Robert Burns died before photography was established but through this vivid portrait of his sister, we get an idea of how he might have looked in old age. Isabella was widowed young and raised nine children single-handed. In later years, she was given a picturesque cottage where she lived almost as a monument to her brother, entertaining hoards of visitors from the United Kingdom, the Continent and America.
Updated before 2020
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artists:
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title:Mrs Isabella (Burns) Begg, 1771 - 1858. Youngest sister of Robert Burns [b]
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date created:1843 - 1847
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materials:Carbon print
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measurements:20.20 x 14.80 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Elliot Collection, bequeathed 1950
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accession number:PGP HA 2730
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subject:
Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson was one of the first professional photographers, setting up in business in Edinburgh in March 1843. He had aspired to be an engineer but his health was too poor. His brother, John, who was involved in the early experiments with photography in St Andrews, taught him the calotype...