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Caleb Balderstone's Ruse

Artist: Hay, George, RSA · 1831-1912

This painting is a finished sketch for a painting that was exhibited at the RSA in 1876 catalogue number 71 "Caleb Balderston's Ruse - vide 'The Bride of Lamermoor' 'Lent by Robert Brownlee Esq, Glasgow'. The painting was produced for The Royal Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in Scotland and was engraved by Robert Anderson in 1875. A watercolour catalogued as 'In a rage' came up for auction at Bonhams in September 2006. This watercolour signed 'G.Hay' is almost identical to the Diploma Work and is probably also a study for the larger oil painting. The watercolour measures 30.0 x 41.0 cm and is undated. It is in a mid 20th century frame but on the reverse is a 19th century label inscribed in ink with a citation from 'The Bride of Lamermoor' 'Mysie what are ye sitting shaking and greeting in the chimney..for?....clean and clear wud wi the thunner!' the label has also been inscribed in pencil 'Caleb Balderstone's Ruse'. Image of this watercolour is in Hay's file in green archive box 'Members' Research File, H'. Hay also exhibited a number of other works at the RSA featuring Caleb Balderston entitled 'Caleb Balderston reconnoitring the cooper's kitchen' in 1881, 1886 and 1903.