I trying to find information on a distant relative James Robertson Collie who was an artist/engraver who lived in Edinburgh from about 1820 to 1880, (Peffermill area). I am particularly interested in trying to trace any of his work with a view to purchasing a piece.
Seemingly he was friendly with the Asistant Curator of the National Gallery of Scotland (William Roberson) as he left him some money in his will.
Does anyone have any knowledge of James Robertson Collie's work (paintings or engravings) or indeed of William Robertson ??
Thanks
StuartC
James Robertson Collie - Artist/Engraver
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Currie
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Hello Stuart,
Assistant Curators don’t seem to get a mention in the newspapers but in case it’s any help the Curator situation appears to have been.
Daily News (London), Saturday, July 10, 1858
Parliamentary arguments about whether the NGS collection was worthy of appointment of Curator
Daily News (London), Tuesday, December 20, 1859
Principal Curator of NGS was W B Johnstone
The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh), Monday, April 27, 1863
Johnstone still PC and Keeper
The Pall Mall Gazette (London), Thursday, August 16, 1877
James Drummond was Curator 1868 till death 1877
Glasgow Herald (Glasgow), Tuesday, December 1, 1885;
Mr Gourlay Steell is PC of NGS
Glasgow Herald (Glasgow), Wednesday, December 1, 1886
Mr Steell still PC
Aberdeen Weekly Journal (Aberdeen), Saturday, February 23, 1895
R Gibb appointed Principal Curator and Keeper of NGS
As regards James Robertson Collie.
The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, March 23, 1863
The Royal Scottish Academy’s Exhibition
“It is always pleasant to stumble on a new and promising name in Art. Mr J. R. Collie contributes two pictures this year, “A Street Scene”—No. 90—and—No. 475—“The Old Thrashing Mill.” This last, although not specially well hung, is one of the best pictures of its class in the rooms. It is quiet in colour, almost grave; the mill is picturesquely ruinous, and extremely well painted. A peasant girl, a couple of pigs, painted with a pleasant pinkiness which would have delighted Charles Lamb, and a group of poultry add life to the immediate foreground. We are astonished that a picture like this has not already found a purchaser. Let not Mr. Collie, however, despond; if he paints many pictures like the Thrashing Mill, he will soon find purchasers enough.”
The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, July 20, 1863
Royal Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts – List of paintings, Mr. Collie appears to have been awarded a £20 prize for Thrashing Mill.
Glasgow Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), Tuesday, May 4, 1875 Sale of a painting by J. Glasgow Institute of The Fine Arts
List of sales No. 243, The Old Thrashing Mill, J. Robertson Collie, £17.
I couldn’t find anything else. If you can’t access these three articles and you want the images please send me a PM with your email and I’ll send them off.
Hope that helps,
Alan
Assistant Curators don’t seem to get a mention in the newspapers but in case it’s any help the Curator situation appears to have been.
Daily News (London), Saturday, July 10, 1858
Parliamentary arguments about whether the NGS collection was worthy of appointment of Curator
Daily News (London), Tuesday, December 20, 1859
Principal Curator of NGS was W B Johnstone
The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh), Monday, April 27, 1863
Johnstone still PC and Keeper
The Pall Mall Gazette (London), Thursday, August 16, 1877
James Drummond was Curator 1868 till death 1877
Glasgow Herald (Glasgow), Tuesday, December 1, 1885;
Mr Gourlay Steell is PC of NGS
Glasgow Herald (Glasgow), Wednesday, December 1, 1886
Mr Steell still PC
Aberdeen Weekly Journal (Aberdeen), Saturday, February 23, 1895
R Gibb appointed Principal Curator and Keeper of NGS
As regards James Robertson Collie.
The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, March 23, 1863
The Royal Scottish Academy’s Exhibition
“It is always pleasant to stumble on a new and promising name in Art. Mr J. R. Collie contributes two pictures this year, “A Street Scene”—No. 90—and—No. 475—“The Old Thrashing Mill.” This last, although not specially well hung, is one of the best pictures of its class in the rooms. It is quiet in colour, almost grave; the mill is picturesquely ruinous, and extremely well painted. A peasant girl, a couple of pigs, painted with a pleasant pinkiness which would have delighted Charles Lamb, and a group of poultry add life to the immediate foreground. We are astonished that a picture like this has not already found a purchaser. Let not Mr. Collie, however, despond; if he paints many pictures like the Thrashing Mill, he will soon find purchasers enough.”
The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, July 20, 1863
Royal Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts – List of paintings, Mr. Collie appears to have been awarded a £20 prize for Thrashing Mill.
Glasgow Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), Tuesday, May 4, 1875 Sale of a painting by J. Glasgow Institute of The Fine Arts
List of sales No. 243, The Old Thrashing Mill, J. Robertson Collie, £17.
I couldn’t find anything else. If you can’t access these three articles and you want the images please send me a PM with your email and I’ll send them off.
Hope that helps,
Alan
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StuartC
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:43 pm
James Robertson Collie
Alan,
Thanks for the info. I will follow up.
Next time I am in Edinburgh will go to the National Gallery and see what I can find.
Regards
Stuart C
Thanks for the info. I will follow up.
Next time I am in Edinburgh will go to the National Gallery and see what I can find.
Regards
Stuart C