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Lot Essay
Alexander Nasmyth was one of the chief founders of the Scottish picturesque landscape painting tradition and a leading figure of the golden period of Edinburgh's renaissance. The growing interest in landscape evident in his early portraits (see lot 8) was developed by the sketches Nasmyth executed during his Italian tour (1782-1785) and further encouraged on his return to Edinburgh by his friendship with the author, Robert Burns.
Built on a promontory on cliffs high above the sea, Dunnottar Castle is a spectacular ruined courtyard castle, parts of which date from the 12th century. In 1297 William Wallace burned alive an English Plantaganet garrison which was holding the castle. The great Marischal for Scotland, Sir William Keith, acquired the property in 1382, and by the beginning of the 16th century Dunnottar was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland. In 1651 the Scottish regalia was bought to the castle for safety. The castle was besieged by General Overon and his troops on Cromwell's orders in 1652, before the garrison surrendered after an eight month siege, the regalia and state papers were smuggled out to be hidden in nearby Kinneff Church until recovered at the Restoration.
The pendant to this picture, 'A Water Mill in Angusshire [sic], with horse pulling laden cart, and figures' (J.C.B. Cooksey, op. cit., no. S21), is in a private collection.
Built on a promontory on cliffs high above the sea, Dunnottar Castle is a spectacular ruined courtyard castle, parts of which date from the 12th century. In 1297 William Wallace burned alive an English Plantaganet garrison which was holding the castle. The great Marischal for Scotland, Sir William Keith, acquired the property in 1382, and by the beginning of the 16th century Dunnottar was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland. In 1651 the Scottish regalia was bought to the castle for safety. The castle was besieged by General Overon and his troops on Cromwell's orders in 1652, before the garrison surrendered after an eight month siege, the regalia and state papers were smuggled out to be hidden in nearby Kinneff Church until recovered at the Restoration.
The pendant to this picture, 'A Water Mill in Angusshire [sic], with horse pulling laden cart, and figures' (J.C.B. Cooksey, op. cit., no. S21), is in a private collection.