A superb pastel on card artwork depicting a coastal scene of Tantallon Castle near North Berwick on the east coast of Scotland by John Holden, one of the finest artists in pastel which this country has ever produced. The artist’s work has sold at many of the country’s main auction houses, such as Christie’s, Phillips and Dukes, fetching prices from the low hundreds to the mid-thousands.

This work, which dates to 1913 and which is signed and dated by the artist to the bottom right, displays a mastery of the medium, capturing rich textures in the sea, the cliffs and even the rocky beach which would be difficult to achieve in oil or watercolour. 

Holden appears to favour this medium above all else in the majority of his recorded works, as it afforded him the ability to capture the moment en plain air - the imposing red sandstone walls of the castle, the bluey-grey hues of the imposing cliffs, the delicate ripples of the sea lapping onto the rock and pebble festooned shore, the drama of the gathering threatening clouds out at sea contrasted with the brilliant blue of the sky…

This is an artwork of visual eloquence and artistic mastery by an artist who is clearly working at the height office powers. We do know that this artwork was made towards the ned of his career, and one can almost feel the artist’s desire to produce something of such beauty and merit which would become his legacy over the  centuries. 

Owning this artwork is a huge privilege for every subsequent owner over the centuries, and, with its provenance through Phillips auctioneers and Dukes auctioneers (see below), this really is a rare opportunity to acquire a fine art piece at a fraction of the price that swish galleries or savvy dealers would be asking...

About Tantallon Castle

The last of the grand medieval castles in Scotland. Set high on a cliff edge and featuring a massive red sandstone curtain wall, Tantallon was built in the mid 14th century by William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas and became home to the Red Douglas dynasty. It is located east of North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland and sits atop a promontory opposite the Bass Rock, looking out onto the Firth of Forth. The last medieval curtain wall castle to be constructed in Scotland, Tantallon comprises a single wall blocking off the headland, with the other three sides naturally protected by sea cliffs.

It was passed to George Douglas, later created Earl of Angus, and despite several sieges, it remained the property of his descendants for much of its history. It was besieged by King James IV in 1491, and again by his successor James V in 1527,[2] when extensive damage was done. Tantallon saw action in the First Bishops' War in 1639, and again during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Scotland in 1651, when it was once more severely damaged. It was sold by the Marquis of Douglas in 1699 to Hew Dalrymple, Lord North Berwick. Today, Tantallon Castle is a popular tourist attraction and filming location, and appears in the critically acclaimed film Under the Skin, starring Scarlett Johansson.

About the artist - JOHN HOLDEN (1864 - c.1920)

Recorded works sold at auction:

Condition Report
This picture is in very good condition, with strong colours and no discernible fading or discolouration. It is framed and mounted in mid 20th century ornate gilded frame, which is in very good condition, apart from one or two very minor nibbles, and is ready to hang.  It  bears a label for Phillips auctioneers and also a label for a Fine Art Trade Guild framer, which attests to the quality of the framing. All in all, a visually impressive piece which would make a most eloquent accompaniment to any interior, both period or contemporary. It would also make the perfect gift for anyone with a love for Scotland and its heritage


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