The Poet
Artist: Cadell, Francis Campbell Boileau, RSA · 1883-1937
According to Sotheby's there were two versions of this painting produced. The RSA Diploma Work and another version both show the sitter in the same pose, draped over the arm of a sofa. Sotheby's cite the Diploma Work as being the slightly larger work (39.5 x 49.5 inches) and the other piece as being slightly smaller (44.0 x 34.0 inches) although from the dimensions of the Diploma Work the opposite would appear to be the case. Sotheby's also cite the non RSA piece as having been exhibited at the RGI in 1934 although from correspondence from Cadell in the RSA archive it woudl appear that it was actually the Diploma Work that was exhibited at the RGI (see letter in Cadell's Deceased Member File from Cadell to David Foggie dated 1935-03-29 where he confirms that "The Poet" was exhibited "at the last Glasgow Institute"). In the "Sale of Scottish & Sporting Pictures" held by Sotheby's at Gleneagles Hotel on 5th September 2001, a portrait of Norman Macdonald, similar to the Diploma Work was included for sale by a private collector 'Portrait of the Poet, Norman MacDonald' (43.0 x 36.0 cm). The painting appears to have been bought by the private collector from the Fine Art Society in July 1975. The painting did not sell at Sotheby's. It was put up for sale again at Sotheby's in April 2006 at their 'Scottish Pictures' sale at Hopetoun House. (see Cadell's file in green box file 'Members' Reasearch File 'C' for excerpts from the Sothebys catalogues). Alice Strang (Curator, NGS) has images on file of two other works of Macdonald by Cadell in Private Collections (see artist's file). In one the inscription on the reverse reads "Herman Macdonald, etcher", he was known by both names.
Additional details
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Object data
Date 1912 Accession 2000.005 Type Painting Materials Support canvas
Medium Paint, oilDimensions Support
86.4cm x 111.8cm
Sight
85.1cm x 110.4cm
Frame
95.3cm x 120.9cmAcquisition Deposit, RSA Diploma Collection Cadell, Francis Campbell Boileau, RSA (January 7th, 1937) -
Exhibitions
Sitters