Description

Oil on canvas in period giltwood frame, bearing the collection number '18' and names of sitter and artist.
A charming image of the young George Russell, standing by a column, a landscape behind him, and holding a battledore and shuttlecock.
GEORGE EDWARD RUSSELL (1786-1863) was a son of Claude Russell and worked in India for the East India Company. He was in India for 33 years and was, for a time, acting Governor of Madras.
He married Caroline, daughter of Major General George Bowness and the union produced a daughter, also Caroline, who married Captain James Maxstone of the East India Company army in 1851.
Maxstone was born in 1819 and succeeded to the title of 13th Laird of Cultoquhey in 1846. In 1859 he inherited the estate of Redgorton from his uncle Robert Graham thus becoming also the 6th Laird of Redgorton. He adopted the additional name and arms of Graham.
George Russell died at his home in Wiltshire in i853 aged 74.
GEORGE WATSON (1767-1837) was a Scottish portrait painter and first president of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Watson was born at his father's estate, Overmains, Berwickshire, in 1767, the son of John Watson and Frances Veitch of Elliott. He received his early education in Edinburgh, and got some instruction in painting from Alexander Nasmyth but when 18 years of age he went to London with an introduction to Sir Joshua Reynolds, who received him as a pupil. After two years spent in Sir Joshua's studio, he returned to Edinburgh, and established himself as a portrait-painter.
He exhibited frequently at the Royal Academy and the British Institution, and about 1815 was invited to London to paint a number of portraits, including those of the dean of Canterbury and Benjamin West. In 1820, in spite of much opposition from the Royal Institution, the Scottish Academy was founded, and Watson, who had been president of the previous society, was elected to the same office in the new one, the ultimate success of which was largely due to his tact and ability. He continued as president until his death, the academy receiving its royal charter a few months afterwards.
Shortly after his return from his first visit to London he married Rebecca, daughter of William Smellie, printer and naturalist, who, with five children, survived him.
Watson died in Edinburgh on 24 August 1837.
(He was a relative of Sir John Watson Gordon, portrait painter, who had added the Gordon to his name to distinguish himself from other painter members of the Watson family.)
SIZE: canvas 30 x 25 inches
Framed size: 35 .25 x 30.26 inches.
PROVENANCE: Berkshire Private Collection.
Verso: 1970's auction catalogue entry.
Internal Ref: 8652