Scottish Folklore: "The Bag Piper", follower of Sir David Wilkie R.A. (1785 to 1841), early 19th century, large oil on canvas.  The original hands in the National Gallery, and the Tate provides the following description, "Wilkie exhibited this intimate portrait in 1813, when his reputation as a painter of character was already well-established. As a Scottish artist, Wilkie was keen to elevate the status of his national school. Here, however, he seems to draw on stereotypes, showing his character with a red nose and cheeks, auburn hair and thick eyebrows. These elements evoke the wildness associated with the Scots by many 19th-century English viewers. While Wilkie’s picture may appear to be taken from life, it also answered a demand for romanticised images of Scotland."

The ever helpful ArtUK site provides the following biographical notes on Wilkie: (b Cults, nr. Cupar, Fife, 18 Nov. 1785; d at sea, off Gibraltar, 1 June 1841). Scottish painter, active mainly in London. He is principally famous as the most popular genre painter of his time, but he also produced historical subjects and portraits. Wilkie trained in Edinburgh and then in 1805 moved to London, where he studied briefly at the Royal Academy Schools. His Village Politicians (priv. coll.) was the hit of the RA exhibition of 1806, helping to establish him as a leading figure in his profession at a remarkably early age: in 1811 he was elected a Royal Academician when he still only 25 (younger even than Turner had been when he reached this milestone). He was strongly influenced in technique and subject matter by 17th-century Netherlandish artists such as Ostade and Teniers, and the public loved the wealth of lively and often humorous incident in his paintings.

The picture measures 30.75 inches tall by 25.5 inches wide.  The original canvas has been re-lined on a heavy robust canvas with period timber stretchers which are in very sound condition. 

I offer old Southwold, wider East Anglian art, quirky antiques, and more general interesting pieces.  The artworks are mainly old plus a few newer local pictures, and associated subjects; both celebrated and lesser artists. The antiques lean towards quirky, folk-art, and "below stairs" country house or cottage pieces – and simply unusual pieces that catch my eye.  They include furniture, metalwork, treen etc. Many sea-related items will deliver a 10% donation to the RNLI.  All dimensions stated are in inches, and the prices include packing and shipping within the UK mainland.  I can ship overseas - just let me know where you are and I'll get a quote. N.B. I pack and ship pictures using professional custom-made wooden (not card-board) boxes - these take me a little time to prepare dependent on demand, but I'll do my utmost to meet your delivery requirements.