Rev. John Thomson of Duddingston HRSA 1778-1840
Overview
Innerwick Castle
Reverend Thomson was the minister of the local Kirk in Duddingston. Following his studies for the ministry at Edinburgh University, during which time he received art lessons from Alexander Nasmyth, Thomson set up his studio on the shore of Duddingston Loch.
In 1818 he was visited by JMW Turner, who upon taking in the studio view is said to have remarked "By God sir, I envy you that piece of water". When Duddingston Tower, designed by William Playfair, was built in 1825 Thomson occupied the upper floor, sharing the space with the Duddingston Curling Society. He named his studio 'Edinburgh', allowing him to escape distracting visitors with the excuse that he was unavailable has he had gone to 'Edinburgh'.
Works
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Rev. John Thomson of Duddingston HRSAInnerwick Castle, c.1827oil on canvas36 1/2 x 54 3/4 inches -
Rev. John Thomson of Duddingston HRSARocky Burn near Loch Riddon, Argyllshireinscribed in another hand verso 'Rocky Burn near Loch Riddon / Argyllshire / Rev John Thomson / Duddingston'; inscribed on label versooil on canvas12 x 10 inches
Exhibitions
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True to Nature
Trees in Scottish Art 23 Sep - 12 Nov 2022 EdinburghTrees, as an extension of the natural landscape, have been weighted with meaning throughout the history of art. Over time allegory gave way to the decorative and picturesque. The broader...Read more -
Twenty Twenty
25 Sep - 14 Nov 2020 EdinburghFra Giovanni Giocondo, a late 15th, early 16th century priest and scholar who designed the bridge at Notre Dame said, 'The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind...Read more -
A History in Small Pictures
31 Jul - 29 Aug 2020 EdinburghA survey of Scottish art over three centuries. Diminutive paintings by, amongst others, John Clerk of Eldin, Sir David Wilkie, Alexander Nasmyth, Sir Henry Raeburn, Sam Bough, John MacWhirter, E...Read more -
Alexander Nasmyth
His Family and Influence 30 Sep - 12 Nov 2016 Edinburgh'The founder of the landscape painting of Scotland, by his taste and talents took the lead for many years in the patriotic aim of enriching his native land with the...Read more
