John Pettie
Encyclopedia
John Pettie RA was a Scottish
painter
. He was born in Edinburgh
, the son of Alexander and Alison Pettie. In 1852 the family moved to East Linton
, Haddingtonshire. Initially, his father objected to Pettie taking up art as a career, but this was overcome following a portrait by the lad of the village carrier and his donkey.
When sixteen he entered the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh, working under Robert Scott Lauder
with William Quiller Orchardson
, J. MacWhirter, W. M. Taggart, Peter Graham, Tom Graham and George Paul Chalmers
. His first exhibits at the Royal Scottish Academy
were A Scene from the Fortunes of Nigel one of the many subjects for which he sought inspiration in the novels of Sir Walter Scott and two portraits in 1858, followed in 1859 by The Prison. To the Royal Academy
in 1860 he sent The Armourers; and the success of this work and What d'ye Lack, Madam? in the following year, encouraged him to settle in London
(1862), where he joined Orchardson.
In 1866 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1874 received full academical honors in succession to Sir Edwin Landseer. His diploma picture was Jacobites, 1745. Pettie was a hard and rapid worker, and, in his best days, a colorist of a high order and a brilliant executant. In his early days he produced a certain amount of book illustration. His connection with Good Words began in 1861, and was continued until 1864.
With J. MacWhirter he illustrated The Postman's Bag (Strahan, 1862), and Wordsworth's Poetry for the Young (Strahan, 1863). His principal paintings, in addition to those already mentioned, are Cromwell's Saints (1862); The Trio (1863); George Fox refusing to take the Oath (1864); A Drumhead Courtmartial (1865); The Arrest for Witchcraft (1866); Treason (1867); Tussle with a Highland Smuggler (1868); The Sally (1870); Terms to the Besieged (1872); The Flag of Truce (1873); Ho! Ho! Old Null and A State Secret (1874); A Sword and Dagger Fight (1877); The Death Warrant (1879); Monmouth and James II(1882); The Vigil (1884); Challenged (1883); The Chieftain's Candlesticks (1886); Two Strings to Her Bow (1887); The Traitor and Sir Charles Wyndham as David Garrick (1888); and The Ultimatum and Bonnie Prince Charlie (1892).
The young composer Hamish MacCunn
was a model for several of Pettie's paintings, and in 1888 MacCunn married Pettie's daughter, Alison. Pettie, an enthusiastic amateur musician, helped MacCunn's career by organising concerts at his own studio.
Pettie died at Hastings
. In 1894 a selection of his work was included in the Winter Exhibition of the Royal Academy
. His self-portrait is in the Tate Gallery
.
The book John Pettie, R.A. (London, 1908), by his nephew Martin Hardie, gives the story of his life, a catalogue of his pictures, and fifty reproductions in color.
was directly influenced by The Vigil, the spire and east window carrying the same shape and symbolism as the sword in the painting.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. He was born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the son of Alexander and Alison Pettie. In 1852 the family moved to East Linton
East Linton
East Linton is a town in East Lothian, Scotland, situated on the River Tyne and A199 road five miles east of Haddington, with a population of 1,774...
, Haddingtonshire. Initially, his father objected to Pettie taking up art as a career, but this was overcome following a portrait by the lad of the village carrier and his donkey.
Robert Scott Lauder
Robert Scott Lauder was a Scottish mid-Victorian artist who described himself as a "historical painter". He was one of the original members of the Royal Scottish Academy.-Life and work:...
with William Quiller Orchardson
William Quiller Orchardson
Sir William Quiller Orchardson was a noted Scottish portraitist and painter of domestic and historical subjects who was knighted in June 1907, at the age of 75.-Early years:...
, J. MacWhirter, W. M. Taggart, Peter Graham, Tom Graham and George Paul Chalmers
George Paul Chalmers
George Paul Chalmers was a Scottish painter.He was born at Montrose, and studied at Trustees Academy in Edinburgh under Robert Scott Lauder . He turned to landscapes later in his career, instead of the portraits which formed his earlier work...
. His first exhibits at the Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy is a Scottish organisation that promotes contemporary Scottish art. Founded in 1826, as the Royal Institution for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts, the RSA maintains a unique position in Scotland as an independently funded institution led by eminent artists and...
were A Scene from the Fortunes of Nigel one of the many subjects for which he sought inspiration in the novels of Sir Walter Scott and two portraits in 1858, followed in 1859 by The Prison. To the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1860 he sent The Armourers; and the success of this work and What d'ye Lack, Madam? in the following year, encouraged him to settle in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(1862), where he joined Orchardson.
In 1866 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1874 received full academical honors in succession to Sir Edwin Landseer. His diploma picture was Jacobites, 1745. Pettie was a hard and rapid worker, and, in his best days, a colorist of a high order and a brilliant executant. In his early days he produced a certain amount of book illustration. His connection with Good Words began in 1861, and was continued until 1864.
The young composer Hamish MacCunn
Hamish MacCunn
thumb|right|Portrait of MacCunn, 1889, by [[John Pettie]]Hamish MacCunn , Scottish romantic composer, was born in Greenock, the son of a shipowner, and was educated at the Royal College of Music, where his teachers included Sir Hubert Parry and Sir Charles Villiers Stanford.MacCunn's first success...
was a model for several of Pettie's paintings, and in 1888 MacCunn married Pettie's daughter, Alison. Pettie, an enthusiastic amateur musician, helped MacCunn's career by organising concerts at his own studio.
Pettie died at Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
. In 1894 a selection of his work was included in the Winter Exhibition of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. His self-portrait is in the Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
.
The book John Pettie, R.A. (London, 1908), by his nephew Martin Hardie, gives the story of his life, a catalogue of his pictures, and fifty reproductions in color.
Influences
The design of the Church Army Chapel, BlackheathChurch Army Chapel, Blackheath
The Church Army Chapel at Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath, Greater London, designed by Ernest Trevor Spashett , opened in 1965 by Princess Alexandra and consecrated by Michael Ramsey, is a locally listed building of outstanding architectural significance, and is notable for originally having had the...
was directly influenced by The Vigil, the spire and east window carrying the same shape and symbolism as the sword in the painting.